The Royal Belgian Football Association has officially appointed Mark van Bommel as the new head coach of the Belgium national team. He has signed a deal which will keep him in charge until UEFA Euro 2028, which is the start of a new era for Red Devils.
A New Direction for Belgium
Van Bommel is coming off the bench from Rudi Garcia, who was not extended after Belgium advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. Belgium reached the last eight before losing to eventual champions Spain but the Belgian federation decided to start afresh to draft a team that will be able to take on the big challenges of the future.
The move is one of the most well-known football players in Europe to join international football management. Van Bommel, who previously led the charge as a high-pressing midfielder, and has also had success as a club coach, is seen as being well-suited to take charge of the next step in Belgium's generational evolution.
The club has a history of success in football.
Van Bommel had a stellar career with clubs such as AC Milan, Bayern Munich, Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven before taking up the coaching position.
He achieved his greatest success as a manager at Royal Antwerp when he led them to the historic Belgian Pro League and Belgian Cup double of the 2022–23 season. His tactical discipline and ability to organise teams and his leadership were the main reasons for his selection for the Belgium team.
Van Bommel's First Challenge
The 49-year-old will be immediately put to the test later this year when Belgium get going in their UEFA Nations League. He is to play the first match as captain in September against Italy, followed by games against France and Turkey.
Belgium also have a core group of talented sides which has an experienced group of players with new young players from which Van Bommel will have to assemble a side to tackle the continent's best.
A New Era Begins
Van Bommel, who was appointed after a vote of thanks, said the appointment was a great honor for him and that he had to put his heart into it to become a success.
Belgians will hope the former Netherlands international can carry on the country's golden generation and take the Red Devils back to the international glory days.
