Mark van Bommel has been appointed as the new head coach of the Belgium national team, the Belgian FA has confirmed. The 49-year-old Dutchman has signed a contract that will run until after Euro 2028, succeeding Rudi Garcia in the role. This marks the third managerial change for Belgium since Roberto Martínez departed in 2022.
Van Bommel brings a wealth of experience from his time managing within Belgian football, most notably with Royal Antwerp. He led Antwerp to a domestic double of the league title and cup in 2023, demonstrating his ability to build a winning team in the Belgian Pro League. Prior to his success in Belgium, Van Bommel also managed PSV Eindhoven and Wolfsburg.
The appointment represents a shift in direction for the Belgian FA, having previously employed managers from Spain (Martínez), Italy/Germany (Domenico Tedesco), and France (Garcia). Van Bommel’s familiarity with Belgian football and his recent success with Antwerp were key factors in his selection. He has expressed his belief in the potential of the current Belgium squad, stating they possess “exceptional players and enormous potential.”
Van Bommel’s playing career saw him feature prominently as a midfielder for clubs like Barcelona and Bayern Munich, as well as captaining the Netherlands national team. He has outlined his ambition to build a Belgium side that is “disciplined, ambitious and courageous.” The challenge now lies in translating that vision into success on the international stage, with qualification for and performance at major tournaments being the primary objectives. This appointment is expected to bring a new tactical approach and a renewed sense of direction to the national team.
Belgium will be looking to Van Bommel to revitalize a squad that has underperformed in recent major tournaments, hoping to recapture the form that saw them reach the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup.
