Modern dominance and European ambitions

The period 2020-2025 marks a new golden era for Club Brugge, in which the club firmly establishes itself as the dominant force in Belgian football. With four league titles in six seasons, consistent European performances in the Champions League, and new stars, Club Brugge is once again making history. More and more talents are moving up from Club NXT to the first team.

Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, the league is forced to stop after 29 matchdays. Club Brugge is at the top of the table at that moment, with a fifteen-point lead over the chasers. On May 15, 2020, Club Brugge is officially declared league champion.

The 2020-2021 season is also plagued by the coronavirus crisis. Clubs are often forced to play behind closed doors. Club, coached by Philippe Clement, builds up a significant lead after the regular season. On May 20, 2021, a 3-3 draw at Anderlecht is enough for the seventeenth league title. For Club, it is the first back-to-back league title since 1978.

In the Champions League, Club is drawn in a group with Borussia Dortmund, SS Lazio, and Zenit Saint Petersburg, finishing a respectable third. It wins twice against Zenit, and only a shot against the crossbar by Charles De Ketelaere at Lazio keeps Club out of the round of sixteen.

Club Brugge does not retain the league title. However, it amazes Europe in the Champions League. With coach Carl Hoefkens, Club earns 11 out of 18 points in a group with Bayer Leverkusen, Atlético Madrid, and FC Porto. It wins against Bayer Leverkusen (1-0), FC Porto (0-4), and Atlético Madrid (2-0). In Madrid, a world-class Simon Mignolet keeps Club at 0-0, enough for qualification for the round of sixteen. Club is eventually eliminated in the round of sixteen by SL Benfica.

Club Brugge finds itself in turbulent waters for a long time. After the dismissal of coach Ronny Deila, Nicky Hayen becomes his successor. He molds a strong unit that proves unbeatable in the Champions Play-offs. Just like in 1911, the Bruges derby on May 26, 2024, decides the league title. After a thrilling finish, it ends 0-0, enough for the nineteenth league title. Club also excels in Europe. In the new Conference League, Club reaches the last four, the first European semi-final since 1992. ACF Fiorentina narrowly prevails.

In the revamped Champions League, a League Phase with eight matches (four home and four away) instead of groups of four, Club Brugge further establishes itself on the European stage. It beats Sturm Graz, Aston Villa, and Sporting Lisbon, and draws against Celtic and Juventus. On goal difference, Club secures a spot among the top 24 with eleven points, enough for a place in the next round. In the round of 32, Club defeats Atalanta, the team of former Club player Charles De Ketelaere, over two legs. In the next round, Aston Villa proves too strong. In the domestic league, Club finishes three points behind champion Union.