The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has officially appointed 49-year-old Mark van Bommel as the new head coach of the Belgium national team. Van Bommel, a former Dutch international known for his tenacious midfield play during his career and his role in the Netherlands side that reached the 2010 World Cup final, has signed a contract that will see him lead the Red Devils through the conclusion of UEFA EURO 2028.
Van Bommel succeeds Frenchman Rudi Garcia, who stepped down from the position after guiding the team to the quarter-finals of the World Cup. Expressing his gratitude for the appointment, Van Bommel described the role as a "great honour." He noted that Belgium possesses outstanding players and significant potential, adding, "Together with my coaching staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best. Success is never guaranteed, but hard work, honesty and commitment are."
Technical director Vincent Mannaert expressed his satisfaction with the selection, highlighting that Belgian football officials were keen to hire a coach younger than the 62-year-old Garcia. Mannaert stated that he was "truly delighted" that Van Bommel and his staff accepted the challenge, emphasizing their motivation, ambition, and international experience as both players and coaches. He expressed confidence that they are perfectly placed to help the Red Devils continue to improve and reach their full potential.
Van Bommel’s coaching resume includes stints at PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, and Antwerp. He has been out of a managerial role since leaving the Belgian top-flight club Antwerp in June 2024, a tenure that notably included leading the side to their first league title in 66 years. His appointment comes at a transitional period for Belgium, which is currently blending the final members of its "golden generation" with emerging younger talent.
While Belgium showed improvement throughout the recent World Cup, their campaign ended with a 2-1 defeat to eventual tournament winners Spain. Despite the loss, Belgium held the distinction of being the only side to breach the Spanish defence. Local media reports indicated that Garcia’s tenure was marked by friction between the manager, several players, and Mannaert, who was reportedly dissatisfied with certain group-stage performances, though Garcia's departure was met with bewilderment by many supporters on social media. Van Bommel’s first test in his new role will be a series of three Nations League matches, beginning with a game against Italy on September 25.
