Shandre Campbell's coach at Club Brugge, Nicky Hayen, recently admitted that he speaks to his deceased mother as a pre-game ritual.
This revelation came before his side's second-leg UEFA Champions League playoff against Atalanta earlier this month.
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"Before the match, I always talked to my mother, who passed away four years ago — much too early," Hayen said per ESPN.
"Last year, before the [Belgian league] playoffs, I told her we wanted to do something crazy, and in the end, winning the title was the result."
Despite not considering himself deeply religious, the 44-year-old coach admitted that this ritual gives him a sense of connection and motivation.
"Am I deeply religious? No, but I do feel that it is something for me. I must believe there is something," Hayen added.
His side ended up winning the tie 5-2 on aggregate, and will take on Aston Villa in the Round of 16 as they look to make a memorable run in this year's UCL campaign.
The Belgian tactician was handed the Brugge job on an interim basis in March last year and managed to turn the club's fortunes around, leading them to the league title in remarkable fashion.
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His unorthodox ritual is now part of his matchday routine as he continues to guide the team on the European stage.