Belgium are poised to name former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel as their new head coach on a contract running to June 2028, following the departure of Rudi Garcia after the 2026 World Cup.
The Belgian FA decided to part company with Frenchman Garcia after the Red Devils exited the 2026 tournament at the quarter-final stage, losing 2-1 to Spain, who went on to lift the trophy.
Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that an agreement has been reached with van Bommel to take charge of the national team.
Posting on X, he said: “تم الاتفاق بين الاتحاد البلجيكي وفان بوميل على الاستمرار حتى يونيو/حزيران 2028، والمدرب جاهز ليحل محل رودي جارسيا” – “An agreement has been reached between the Belgian FA and Van Bommel to continue until June 2028, and the coach is ready to replace Rudi Garcia.”
The Belgian FA has not yet formally confirmed the appointment, but van Bommel is expected to be announced in the coming days.
Garcia era ends after World Cup exit
Garcia’s spell in charge came to an end once Belgium’s World Cup campaign concluded in the last eight.
Belgium were narrowly beaten 2-1 by Spain in the quarter-finals, with the Spanish side going on to become world champions.
The decision to change coach signals a reset for a Belgian team seeking to redefine itself after the fading of the so‐called “golden generation” that featured stars such as Eden Hazard, Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen.
Van Bommel’s limited but high-profile coaching path
Van Bommel, 47, enjoyed a decorated playing career as a combative midfielder for Barcelona and Bayern Munich, as well as PSV Eindhoven and AC Milan, and won over 75 caps for the Netherlands.
However, his coaching experience remains relatively modest.
He has held senior managerial roles at only three clubs so far: PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, VfL Wolfsburg in Germany and Royal Antwerp in Belgium.
At PSV he began his top-flight coaching career in his home country, while his time at Wolfsburg in the Bundesliga was his first major role outside the Netherlands.
Most recently, he worked at Royal Antwerp, giving him first-hand knowledge of Belgian football and many of the players who could form the core of his new national-team squad.
Task ahead: rebuilding the Red Devils
Van Bommel faces the challenge of guiding Belgium through a period of transition, with several established internationals nearing the end of their careers and a newer generation pushing for starting roles.
His contract until June 2028 is expected to cover qualifiers and finals for the next European Championship cycle, as well as preparations for the subsequent World Cup.
The Belgian FA is betting on van Bommel’s international pedigree as a player and his familiarity with the Belgian league to construct a competitive side capable of challenging for major honours again, after falling short in 2026.
Further details of his backroom staff, tactical plans and first squad selection will be announced once his appointment is officially confirmed.
