Belgium Appoints Van Bommel as Head Coach, Replacing Garcia

Mark van Bommel has been appointed head coach of Belgium's national team, according to ESPN, replacing Rudi Garcia whose contract expires July 31. Van Bommel, a former Netherlands international, most recently managed Royal Antwerp FC and brings a track record of European domestic success to the role.

Van Bommel was part of the Netherlands side that reached the 2010 World Cup final, losing to Spain. His playing career included stints at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan. As a coach, he has managed PSV Eindhoven, VfL Wolfsburg, and Royal Antwerp.

At Antwerp, Van Bommel delivered immediate success. His side won a league and cup double in 2023, claiming the club's first league title since 1957, per ESPN.

Van Bommel takes over a Belgium team that reached the World Cup quarterfinals under the previous regime. His assistants include Boudewijn Zenden, Maarten Martens, and Reinier Robbemond, according to ESPN.

In a statement, Van Bommel said, per ESPN, "Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential. 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. We will give everything to help this team improve every day and make the Belgian people proud."

Belgian soccer federation sports director Vincent Mannaert added that the federation was "truly delighted that Mark van Bommel and his assistants have agreed to take on this challenge," noting their international experience as both coaches and players would help the team "achieve results and reach their full potential."