FCV Dender appoints Portuguese ex‑assistant as first‑team coach

FCV Dender announced on Friday that Portuguese coach Jonathan Alves will take charge as the club’s head coach, marking his first senior managerial appointment. The East‑Flemish side is targeting a swift return to the Jupiler Pro League after last season’s relegation.

Alves spent recent seasons on the technical staff of Club Brugge, where he contributed to a league‑title campaign. His role as assistant gave him insight into top‑flight Belgian football.

Before joining Dender, Alves also served on the coaching benches of RSC Anderlecht, Zulte Waregem and RWDM. These stints deepened his familiarity with the Belgian league system.

Beyond Belgium, Alves built a résumé in Switzerland, France, Iran and Portugal, gaining exposure to varied tactical environments. The club cited this international experience as a key factor in his selection.

Dender’s board opted for a young manager with a modern football outlook, believing his varied assistant roles prepared him for full responsibility. The appointment reflects the club’s ambition to inject fresh ideas into the squad.

In the coming weeks Alves will meet the players for the first time and outline his tactical vision. The preseason period will reveal how he translates his ideas onto the pitch.

With the new coach in place, FCV Dender hopes to accelerate its push back to the Jupiler Pro League. The coming months will test Alves’ ability to shape a competitive side.