After the takeover of Red Star Aalst by JR Wellington Sports Management and their subsequent approval for the Belgian Premier League, new President Harmanus Maes quickly went to work hiring the club's new manager. The club eventually hired Rickard Oberlander for the role. The 60 year old German was the manager for Munchen Buncher in the Bundesliga for 9 seasons from S93-S101. Prior to that, he was the inaugural manager for Bundesliga club Cola Street FC for 9 seasons from S84-S92, when he was let go from the club. As a player, Oberlander was a defender in top tier football for 18 seasons, including a 10 year stint with BPL club FC Big Blasters where he scored 33 goals in 337 league matches while failing to draw a single booking.
In a recent interview, Oberlander spelled out his philosophy as a manager. "The keys to maximizing success at the top level is discipline and fitness" said Oberlander. "Technique and raw athleticism are sometimes to great to overcome, but I strive to get the most out of the team that I have before me. Winning takes a lot of hard work, and my expectations are high. I expect nothing less than maximum effort here at Red Star."
Assistant manager Alvy Heinemann joins Oberlander in Aalst after working as his assistant for 3 years at Munchen Buncher. The 45 year old German had a successful career as a defender, spending 14 years playing for a variety of top flight clubs. Heinemann ended his career with a 6 year stint playing for BPL powerhouse Wonderkid Sports Authority, where he won a pair of league championships.
Former star striker Alco Moreau joined Red Star as the first team coach, having previously worked for the club in a smaller coaching role. The 40 year old Belgian stands an imposing 6'7 and spent a 10 year journeyman career playing for a variety of BPL clubs. Moreau scored 177 goals in 222 BPL matches, eclipsing 30 goals in a season 4 times in his career.
Belgian goalkeeping coach Altoni Wauters came to Red Star after previously serving as the goalkeeping coach for BPL club Greinstraat from S98-S100 before that club folded. Before his coaching career, the 38 year old Wauters played 13 seasons in the BPL for a number of clubs playing in 315 league matches in net.
Finally, the club's President Harmanus Maes has been serving in a front office role in football for over 30 years. The 65 year old Belgian had a promising career as a midfielder cut short in his 7th BPL season after a severe leg injury suffered in the middle of a match prevented him from playing any longer. Before his current role, Maes was most recently the Chief Financial Officer for BPL club Urbana Hawks FC from S96-S101.