Belgian runner-up Brugge lures coach from title-winning Genk

BRUGES, Belgium (AP) — The coach of Belgian champion Genk has turned his back on guaranteed Champions League soccer to join runner-up Club Brugge, which will play in the competition's qualifying rounds.

Brugge says Philippe Clement is returning to the club where he won the league title twice as a player.

As Belgian runner-up, Brugge will need to beat two opponents to play in the Champions League's 32-team group stage. Genk goes directly into the group stage after winning its fourth league title.

Clement spent 18 months as Genk coach, where he also played in the 1990s before one season with English club Coventry in the Premier League.

___

More AP sports: https://apnews.com/apf-sports and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports