Mark van Bommel has been appointed as the new head coach of Belgium’s national football team, succeeding Rudi Garcia, whose contract expires on July 31. The announcement was made on July 25, following Belgium’s advancement to the quarterfinals in the recent World Cup.

Van Bommel, a former Netherlands international, brings extensive experience both as a player and coach. During his playing career, he featured for prominent European clubs such as Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan. He was also part of the Netherlands squad that finished as runners-up in the 2010 World Cup, losing to Spain in the final.

On the managerial side, Van Bommel has held coaching roles at PSV Eindhoven, VfL Wolfsburg, and Royal Antwerp FC. His tenure at Antwerp was particularly notable, leading the club to its first league title since 1957 and securing a domestic cup victory in 2023. These achievements contributed to enhancing his reputation within Belgian football circles.

At his introduction, Van Bommel expressed confidence in the talent available within the Belgian squad. “Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential,” he stated. He outlined his vision to develop a team characterized by discipline, ambition, and the courage to challenge top international sides. Van Bommel emphasized a commitment to hard work, honesty, and continuous improvement with the aim of making Belgian supporters proud.

Supporting Van Bommel will be assistant coaches Boudewijn Zenden, Maarten Martens, and Reinier Robbemond. Vincent Mannaert, sports director of the Belgian Football Federation, praised the new coaching team’s motivation and international experience. Mannaert expressed optimism that Van Bommel and his staff are well positioned to help the Belgian Red Devils reach their full potential and achieve consistent results on the global stage.