Timothy Derijck leaves KAA Gent after one season

Timothy Derijck has left KAA Gent after one season as the club’s assistant coach, ending his first foray into coaching. The 39‑year‑old former defender contributed to a campaign that secured European football for the Buffalo’s and amassed nearly 500 top‑level appearances and more than 30 goals in his playing career.

KAA Gent announced the departure by mutual agreement with Derijck. The club thanked him for his contribution during the season.

The official statement read: “Timothy zette bij onze club zijn eerste stappen als trainer en leverde het voorbije seizoen een gewaardeerde bijdrage binnen de technische staf. Samen slaagden we erin om ons te kwalificeren voor Europees voetbal”. It added: “We willen Timothy bedanken voor zijn inzet, professionaliteit en engagement gedurende het voorbije seizoen en wensen hem alle succes toe in het verdere verloop van zijn trainerscarrière.”

Derijck began his football education at Anderlecht before moving to the Dutch side Feyenoord as a teenager. He made his professional debut with Feyenoord after the youth spell.

His senior career continued at NAC Breda, FCV Dender and ADO Den Haag, where he became a regular starter. He later joined PSV Eindhoven, spent a loan at FC Utrecht, returned to ADO Den Haag, then played for Zulte Waregem, KV Kortrijk, and again for Zulte Waregem before finishing at ADO Den Haag.

Derijck featured in almost 500 matches at the highest level and scored over 30 goals as a central defender. He lifted the KNVB Beker with PSV Eindhoven and the Belgian Beker with Zulte Waregem.

During his peak years his market value was estimated at more than one million euros. Although he never played for the Belgian national team, he was regarded as one of the most reliable centre‑backs in Belgium and the Netherlands.

His exit from KAA Gent closes his initial coaching chapter but may serve as a stepping stone toward a head‑coach role elsewhere. With extensive playing experience and a growing coaching résumé, Derijck still has many years ahead to develop his managerial career.