Gent trainer speaks on Frankfurt loan-out Hauge's struggles in Belgium
KAA Gent trainer Hein Vanhaezebrouck issued a specific challenge to Eintracht Frankfurt loan-out Jens Petter Hauge during his Friday presser. The Norwegian's stint in the Jupiler Pro League has suddenly gone sour.
One of the bigger surprises of the late stages of the transfer window saw Eintracht Frankfurt loan-out a promising young attacking prospect for whom they had just spent a large sum of money. Norwegian winger Jens Petter Hauge was shipped out to KAA Gent on a season-long-loan in mid August. At the time, SGE sporting director Markus Krösche publicly stated that the destination constituted an ideal developmental locale for the 22-year-old.
Recently, this has proven not to be the case. After logging 314 minutes in his first eight fixtures, the youngster went three games without making an appearance. He still hasn't made a start. Gent trainer Hein Vanhaezebrouck even went so far as to drop him from his bench squad two weeks ago against Ghent.
At his most recent presser Vanhaezebrouck called out Hauge for not giving enough in training. The gaffer also revealed that Hauge was having difficulty adapting his style of play.
"His experience and his name can lend him something, but you've got to show something in training," Vanhaezebrouck said, "He needs some time to get used to a different way of playing football."
"It's a different league here in Belgium," the head-coach continued, "He needs to flip the switch. I hope he shows more so that we can work him back in quicker."
With an estimate market worth of €8 million, the ten-times-capped Norwegian international remains the highest value player on the Gent roster.
Hauge scored a total of three goals and chipped in two assists in 36 appearances across all competitions for Eintracht last season.