Mark van Bommel, a former international player for the Netherlands, has been appointed as the head coach of the Belgium national team, succeeding Rudi Garcia after the team’s recent run to the World Cup quarterfinals.
Garcia’s departure was confirmed this week, effective at the end of his contract on July 31.
“Belgium boasts exceptional players and tremendous potential,” Van Bommel stated. “With my coaching staff, our goal is to develop a team that is disciplined, ambitious, and courageous enough to compete at the highest level.”
Van Bommel’s coaching history includes stints at PSV Eindhoven, VfL Wolfsburg, and Royal Antwerp FC. As a player, he represented elite European teams such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan. He was also part of the Netherlands team that reached the World Cup final in 2010, where they were runners-up to Spain.
He enhanced his coaching credentials in Belgium by leading Antwerp to a league and cup double in 2023, marking the club’s first league title since 1957.
“While success is never guaranteed, hard work, integrity, and commitment are essential. We will put forth our best efforts to improve this team every day and make the Belgian people proud,” Van Bommel emphasized.
His coaching staff will include Boudewijn Zenden, Maarten Martens, and Reinier Robbemond.
“I am thrilled that Mark van Bommel and his assistants have committed to this challenge. Their motivation and ambition, along with their international experience as both players and coaches, will be invaluable in helping our Belgian Red Devils enhance their performance, achieve results, and reach their full potential as individuals and as a team,” commented Vincent Mannaert, sports director of the Belgian soccer federation.