Mark Van Bommel Set To Replace Rudi Garcia As Belgium's New Head Coach
Mark Van Bommel Set To Replace Rudi Garcia As Belgium's New Head Coach Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 22:18 IST Van Bommel has
Mark Van Bommel Set To Replace Rudi Garcia As Belgium's New Head Coach Published By, Last Updated: July 22, 2026, 22:18 IST Van Bommel has been without a team since departing Belgian top-flight club Antwerp in June 2024, a year after having guided them to a first league title in 66 years. Rapid Read Mark van Bommel set to become Belgium's new head coach. (Picture Credit: AFP) Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel is set to take over as coach of the Belgium national team, local media reported on Wednesday. Van Bommel and the Belgian football federation (RBFA) have come to an agreement that will see the 49-year-old sign a contract in the coming days to take charge of the Red Devils through to Euro 2028, according to Flemish daily Het Laatste Nieuws. After hanging up his boots in 2013, Van Bommel has cut his teeth as coach of PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg and Antwerp.
Van Bommel has been without a team since departing Belgian top-flight club Antwerp in June 2024, a year after having guided them to a first league title in 66 years. The 2010 World Cup finalist is set to take over from Rudi Garcia, who left his role on Monday in the wake of Belgium’s quarter-final exit against eventual winners Spain at this summer’s finals in North America. Local media reported differences of opinion between the French coach and several players, as well as with technical director Vincent Mannaert, who was unhappy with certain group-stage performances. Garcia’s departure, however, was met with bewilderment by many supporters on social media. According to Het Laatste Nieuws, the RBFA was looking for “a younger and more modern coach than Rudi Garcia (aged 62)". Rudi Garcia’s record as head coach of Belgium Rudi Garcia took charge of Belgium in January 2025 and managed the team in a total of 20 matches during his tenure.
Of those 20 games, the Red Devils won 12 and suffered only two defeats under his leadership. At the FIFA World Cup 2026, Belgium played six matches under Garcia and lost just once, going down 1-2 to eventual champions Spain in the quarter-finals. Before taking charge of Belgium, Garcia served as Napoli’s manager in 16 matches and has also coached Al Nassr, Lyon, Marseille, AS Roma and Lille among other teams. (With inputs from AFP) News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered Will Van Bommel lead Belgium to a Euro 2028 victory? I cannot predict future sporting event outcomes. According to available reports, Rudi Garcia has stepped down as Belgium's head coach following their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign. The Belgian Football Association (RBFA) confirmed his departure. How did Rudi Garcia's coaching tenure compare? Rudi Garcia's 18-month tenure as Belgium's head coach concluded after the FIFA World Cup, where the team reached the quarter-finals before being eliminated by Spain.
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