Belgium have named 49-year-old Mark van Bommel as their new head coach on a two-year contract lasting until the 2028 European Championship. Van Bommel will officially take charge from 15 August 2026 after succeeding Rudi Garcia, whose contract was not renewed following Belgium’s quarter-final exit to Spain at the 2026 World Cup [1, 2, 3].
Van Bommel, a former Netherlands international with 79 caps who played in the 2010 World Cup final, has a strong coaching pedigree. He previously managed Royal Antwerp to the Belgian league title, Belgian Cup, and Belgian Super Cup during a two-year spell. He has also coached PSV Eindhoven and German club VfL Wolfsburg [1, 2, 3].
The Belgian Football Association highlighted Van Bommel’s tactical expertise and man-management skills, areas where Garcia faced criticism. Sporting director Vincent Mannaert said, “Van Bommel's international experience as both a coach and player will help the Red Devils continue to improve, achieve results and reach their full potential” [1, 2, 3].
Van Bommel said, “It is a great honour to become head coach of Belgium. 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” [2].
He will be assisted by Boudewijn Zenden, Maarten Martens, and Reinier Robbemond as he prepares for Belgium’s upcoming Nations League matches against Italy, France, and Turkey in September and October 2026 [2].
Van Bommel’s appointment comes after Belgium sought a new direction following their recent World Cup run. His first official day in charge will be 15 August 2026, as the team gears up for the Nations League fixtures later that year [2].
