The 2013–14 season was Oud-Heverlee Leuven's 12th competitive season in professional football and the team's third season in the Belgian Pro League. After struggling the whole season, OH Leuven ended 15th in the league and was forced to play the relegation playoffs against Mons. They did get past Mons but were eventually relegated as they did not manage to win the Belgian Second Division final round. OH Leuven also had a mediocre cup run, struggling past Belgian Second Division team Visé before falling 3-0 to Gent.
Season overview
Pre-season
Not counting defender Zainoul Haidara, who had already signed a contract during the winter 2012–13 transfer window to join the club for the coming season, OHL announces its first signing for the new season with David Wijns, coming from Kortrijk. Wijns is a 26-year-old Belgian defender born in Leuven who played most of his career with Heist, helping the team move up two divisions into the Belgian Second Division before joining Kortrijk.[1]
In the beginning of June, former Belgian international Kevin Roelandts, who was out on loan to Antwerp, signs for Maldegem and thus permanently leaves OH Leuven.[2] Just a few days later, the Belgian Pro League fixtures for the 2013–14 season are announced on June 10. Oud-Heverlee Leuven opens the season with an away match to Kortrijk on 27 July 2013. Just like the previous season, Genk will be the first opponent to come and play at Den Dreef on matchday 2.[3][4]
First goalkeeper Logan Bailly, who had only recently signed a contract extension in December 2012, prolongs his contract again by two years on June 18, keeping him in Leuven until 2016.[6] Two days later, OHL signs 29-year-old Belgian midfielder Mohamed Messoudi from Gent.[7] Near the end of June yet another player out on loan leaves the club, when striker Christian Pouga, who was out on loan to Lierse, signs for Turkish team Ankaraspor in the Turkish Second Division.[8]
In July, the team is very active on the transfer market, starting with four transfers occurring in the beginning of the month, with both Frederik Boi (to Cercle Brugge), Jonas De Roeck (to Antwerp) and Koen Weuts (to Helmond Sport) leaving the club,[9][10][11] while Tom Pettersson is announced as a new player, arriving on loan from Åtvidabergs. OH Leuven states that they have also obtained a clause to activate a permanent transfer of the 23-year-old Swedish defender.[12] One week later, three more incoming transfers are announced, as OHL brings in two international players, Belgian Marvin Ogunjimi and BosnianMuhamed Subašić, both on loan respectively from Mallorca and Olimpic Sarajevo,[13][14] together with a second Brazilian player Douglas Maia, who was a free agent.[15] At the same time, OHL sees another two players depart the club, as striker Chuka and defender Tomislav Mikulić seek new challenges. Chuka has been with the team for two seasons, scoring many goals, while Mikulić had helped out to strengthen the defence during the last 6 months. Chuka moves to CFR Cluj, while Mikulić moves to Panthrakikos.[16][17] The stream of transfers is interrupted by the news that wingback Günther Vanaudenaerde has fractured his tibia during the friendly against Heerenveen and will be out for at least three months.[18] To replace this loss, OH Leuven signs international Bulgarian wingback Ivan Bandalovski,[19] while youngsters Loris Brogno and Christopher Verbist are loaned out to second division team Lommel United to get more first team experience.[20]
August
OHL suffers a bad start to the season, scoring only one point out of the first four matches, drawing away to newly promoted Oostende.
Indicates that the player was only part of the team during the first half of the season Indicates that the player was only part of the team during the second half of the season
Points at home: 24
Points away from home: 3
Points against 2012/13 Playoff 1 teams (6): 10 (27.78%)
Points against 2012/13 Playoff 2 teams (7): 12 (28.57%)
Points against 2012/13 Playoff 3 teams (1): 4 (75%)
Points against newly promoted teams (1): 1 (16.67%)
1 point: Charleroi, Gent, Kortrijk, Mechelen, Mons, Oostende, Standard
0 points: Club Brugge, Genk
Biggest and smallest
Biggest home win: 3–0 vs. Cercle Brugge
Biggest home defeat: 2–5 vs. Club Brugge; 1–4 vs. Genk
Biggest away win: none
Biggest away defeat: 0–3 vs. Genk
Biggest home attendance: 9,493 vs. Club Brugge and vs. Anderlecht
Smallest home attendance: 7,613 vs. Charleroi
Biggest away attendance: 23,751 vs. Standard Liège
Smallest away attendance: 3,850 vs. Mons
Updated to match(es) played on 16 March 2013. Source: [citation needed] A = Away; H = Home; W = Win; D = Draw; L = Loss
Relegation playoff and Second Division final round
After finishing 15th during the regular season, OHL was forced to play the Relegation Playoff together with Mons. OHL started with a three-point head start and home advantage. After winning twice at home and drawing away, OHL had obtained an unattainable lead, causing Mons to be relegated. Meanwhile, OHL thereby won the right to play the Second Division final round which they needed to win to remain in the Belgian Pro League.
