Even KVM captain Rob Schoofs was a little surprised: “In the new year we were only interested in relegation.”

After an unexpected catch-up race, KV Mechelen entered the top six. “Let's hope we're still there next week,” smiles Rob Schoofs in extra time.

“We have only one option: win on Sunday in Leuven, otherwise we won't be there,” he fears.

“It will be a very exciting game. I read that we will play in a full stadium, and it will be a nice atmosphere.”

“And during the New Year we were only busy with the relegation battle,” Schoofs explains in extra time. “We wanted to get points as quickly as possible to put that behind us.”

What KV Mechelen did with verve. With 23 out of 27 in 2024, the champions' playoff ticket is almost sealed.

“We have had a very impressive run. The top six will be the icing on the cake,” Schoofs realizes.

(Scroll down for more)

KV Mechelen continued the impressive series under Besnik Hasi, the successor to Steven Defore who was also a guest in extra time.

“We also lost under the new coach,” Schoofs consoled his former coach.

“The transformation started after the New Year against Gent. There we gained confidence and confidence is everything. After that, the players came back from injury and there were guys who broke through.”

“Rob brings a lot of peace to the team,” says Devore. “If Rob is good, KV Mechelen is very good. He has the brilliance of the best players in the Jupiler Pro League.”

Anyone who plays in the Champions League qualifiers can dream out loud about Europe. Something Rob Skoffs hasn't experienced very often.

“That would be great, yeah. Playing football against great opponents,” he said in extra time.

“At KAA Gent, I wasn't on the roster for the European campaign. I still have some pain because of that,” says the midfielder who could also have played for the captain.

“After the cup final, Union asked me if I wanted to switch,” Schoofs says on the football talk show. “After the loss, I felt down for a while and thought about it, but I had a good feeling about KV Mechelen.”

“They wanted to take a step forward and I don't regret it at all. I'm happy in Mechelen.”