Ajax, Bayern Munich and Dortmund eyed Cavens, he stayed in Belgium

In the early morning, while the first customers of his pump company in Essen were still sleeping, former striker Jurgen Cavens recounts how he at the time attracted the attention of European top clubs. Bayern Munich, Ajax from Amsterdam and even Borussia Dortmund made an offer, but he stayed in Belgium.

Early fame and international interest

Around the turn of the century Cavens was seen by many as one of Belgium's greatest attacking talents. He made his debut at seventeen for Lierse SK, won the national championship a year later and the Belgian Cup in 1999. With five internationals for the Red Devils he attracted the attention of clubs such as Ajax from Amsterdam, while Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund even made an offer, according to Cavens in an interview with the Gazet van Antwerpen.

Career in the Netherlands and later

In the 2002/2003 season he played for FC Twente, where he scored six goals in 25 Eredivisie matches. His career also included spells at Standard Liège, Olympique Marseille, KAA Gent, Germinal Beerschot and Waasland-Beveren. He ended his playing career via lower‑division clubs such as Cappellen and Beerschot‑Wilrijk.

Cavens admits that at the time he was not mentally strong enough to make the step to a big club. “But I was not mentally strong enough to take the step at that moment. Afterwards the train never passed again,” he said. He regrets that he “could have gotten more out of my career”, but feels that “it has been good”.

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After his football years he worked as a pump attendant in Essen, where he “served people in all weather” and learned the harsh reality of life. Later he bought the shares of the company, expanded with additional branches and works from six in the morning until eleven at night. “Is it a must? No, certainly not, but when you take over a business you want to run it as well as possible,” Cavens said.

During the same period he met Dorien, who later became his wife, and he describes her as co‑determining for his happiness. He recalls that he won a second cup with Beerschot, alongside the earlier successes in Belgium.

Cavens warns that many footballers end up in a “black hole”, but he has managed to avoid that. His story shows that a career outside football, with entrepreneurship and hard work, can be a viable alternative.