Belgium set to appoint Mark van Bommel as new head coach after Garcia exit

Belgium are poised to hand the national team to former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel, with the Dutchman expected to lead the Red Devils through to at least mid-2028.

The Royal Belgian Football Association has decided on Van Bommel as its preferred candidate to succeed French coach Rudi Garcia, whose tenure ended after Belgium’s elimination from the 2026 World Cup.

Garcia’s contract effectively concluded with the team’s quarter-final exit at the tournament, where Belgium were knocked out by eventual champions Spain in a 2-1 defeat.

Garcia departs after World Cup quarter-final exit

The Belgian FA confirmed that Garcia would not continue following the end of the side’s 2026 World Cup campaign.

Belgium had advanced to the last eight but fell narrowly to Spain, who went on to lift the trophy. The result underlined both the progress and the limitations of a squad in transition after the peak years of its so‐called “golden generation”.

The decision to move on from Garcia comes as the federation seeks a fresh direction ahead of the next European Championship cycle and World Cup qualifying campaign.

Van Bommel agreement to run to 2028

Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano reported that Van Bommel has reached an agreement in principle with the Belgian federation to take over the national side.

He wrote on his official X account: “تم الاتفاق بين الاتحاد البلجيكي وفان بوميل على الاستمرار حتى يونيو/حزيران 2028، والمدرب جاهز ليحل محل رودي جارسيا”.

Translated, Romano’s post states that an agreement has been concluded between the Belgian FA and Van Bommel to work together until June 2028, and that the coach is ready to replace Rudi Garcia.

No official announcement has yet been issued by the Belgian FA, but Romano’s reporting suggests only final formalities remain before Van Bommel is unveiled.

Limited but high-profile coaching experience

Van Bommel, a former midfielder for Barcelona and Bayern Munich, has had a relatively short but high-profile coaching career to date.

He has managed only three clubs:

– PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands
– VfL Wolfsburg in Germany
– Royal Antwerp in Belgium

His spell at Royal Antwerp is likely to have strengthened his candidacy, giving him direct experience of Belgian football, its player pool and domestic culture.

Despite the limited number of clubs on his CV, Van Bommel’s background as a top-level player in elite European leagues is seen as an asset as Belgium look to build a new core around emerging talents.

Rebuilding the Red Devils

Belgium’s next coach faces a complex task: reshaping a side that has lost some of its most influential figures while remaining competitive at major tournaments.

The team’s structure from back to front – from goalkeeping and defensive protection, through build-up and possession, to creativity and attack – is likely to come under close scrutiny as the new regime begins.

With a deal reportedly running to June 2028, Van Bommel would be expected to oversee at least one European Championship campaign and potentially lay foundations for the 2030 World Cup, aiming to ensure Belgium remain a force in international football even as a new generation comes through.