One of the main reasons why so many clubs are changing their crests for more minimalistic logos is the part that modern media plays in fandom. Every day more fans follow the clubs they love through digital outlets - from official sites and social media accounts to sports scores and news apps - that usually feature very small versions of crests/badges/logos. The more elaborate said symbol is, the more of its elements loses visibility and recognition, and viceversa.
Also, an evergrowing variety of products are marketed to fans feauring also different versions of club logos in diferent sizes and different materials. Again, the more elaborate said symbol is, the more of its elements loses visibility and recognition, and viceversa.
If one looks at a club's visual history, one usually finds an evolution from more elaborate badges to something simpler/cleaner. RSC Anderlecht, however, did the exact opposite. From 1933 to 1981, the club sported a beautiful logo featuring two interlocked rings (one purple, one white), the acronym for “Sporting Club Anderlechtois”, and a royal crown to represent the club Royal status. That year, the club redesigned its badge radically to the one that (with little differences) remains today, featuring the logo it replaces, the municipality's coat of arms, two purple and white flags, two belgian flags, two golden spikelets of wheat, a ribbon with the motto “Mens sana in corpore sano”, and outter shield, and the clubs' name.
The current badge carries a lot of symbolism... a lot. It's too redundant, way busier than it needs to be and really hard to appreciate in small versions, that's why I never considered anything other than going back to the 33-81 logo, making the changes you can see: different rings, one single letter in the middle, a simpler crown, a cleaner shield, one flag, the year of foundation and a much simpler use of color.
It communicates the clubs' identity as effectively as the old one did in a classy, modern way.
