Jean-Marie Philips: “At the moment Union is the team of Brussels and not Anderlecht” | Jupiler Pro League
Jean-Marie Philips was CEO of Union between 2012 and 2018 and was also a member of the club’s Board of Directors until last summer. Now he has no official ties to the club, but his heart still beats for blue and yellow.
“Union-Anderlecht is quite a derby, because it concerns two clubs with a rich history, although Union’s is of course from long ago.”
“There is of course a rivalry between both teams. Union supporters are known as fair supporters. Rivalry does not exclude respect.”
Both clubs also have their own character. “Anderlecht is the luxury club that attracts supporters from all over the country. Union is more of a popular club, with a local anchorage.”
That Union Anderlecht have fantastic on another level, Jean-Marie Philips likes memories of a recent derby. “In 2018, Union won the cup against Anderlecht with 0-3, thanks to 3 goals from Niakaté.”
“Union then had a vanguard with Niakaté, Tau and Selemani. Now it is with Vanzeir and Undav. Not bad either.”
There is no title at stake on Sunday, unless that of the “Brussels team”. “Today, Union is the ‘team of the city’, as they say in Antwerp, and no longer Anderlecht.”
Philips does not want to talk about a real title yet. “That’s not too early. There are no play-offs coming up yet, you start with half the points.