Haverfordwest County manager Nicky Hayen is to leave the Bluebirds and return to his native Belgium, after being snapped up by the country’s league champions.
Club Brugge, the Belgian champions, have met a release clause in the County manager’s contract, and he has agreed terms to take over the club’s Under-23s, Club NXT.
Club NXT play in the 1B Pro League, the second tier of Belgian football.
Hayen, 41, joined the Bluebirds in January as he successfully guided the club out of the relegation zone and secured safety in the JD Cymru Premier for next season.
During Hayen’s short and sweet tenure at the Ogi Bridge Meadow Stadium, his side broke the record for County’s biggest top-flight home win (6-1 vs Cefn Druids) and away win (6-0 at Aberystwyth Town).
Club chairman Rob Edwards said: “I am desperately disappointed to lose Nicky. His achievements and impact on and off the pitch in such a short space of time were remarkable, and justified the faith we showed in him when we appointed him.
“As disappointed as I am to lose Nicky, I fully appreciate his reasoning. None more so than having the opportunity to work for the biggest club in your home country, and being so close to your family.”
A spokesperson from Haverfordwest County added: “The extent of Nicky’s impact was illustrated by the fact that, heading into the final day of the season, the club were in with a realistic chance of recording a seventh-placed finish, and topping the JD Cymru Premier Play-Off Conference.
“While a 2-1 defeat to Cardiff Metropolitan meant we eventually finished 10th, there can be no downplaying the turnaround that led to us being in such a position.
“The club would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Nicky for his efforts during his time with us in Pembrokeshire, and we wish him all the best back in Belgium.”
The club said that a statement would be made shortly regarding finding a new manager ahead of the 2022/23 JD Cymru Premier season.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here