Soccer
Mark van Bommel says he did not hesitate to accept his new job as Belgium’s head coach, despite the Netherlands also seeking a new boss.
The Dutchman replaced Rudi Garcia, who left at the end of his contract in July following Belgium’s quarter-final exit from the World Cup at the hands of eventual champions Spain.
The Red Devils topped Group G, but were unconvincing at times, and earned a dramatic last-32 win over Senegal before thumping the United States.
Van Bommel has signed a contract with Belgium through to Euro 2028, with his first task a Nations League campaign that begins in September.
However, with his home nation also looking for a new head coach, Van Bommel could have found a different landing place, but he says he jumped at the chance to join Belgium.
“Did I want to wait for the Dutch national team? No, not at all. I didn’t even think about that,” he said at his unveiling on Friday.
“As a coach, being in charge of a national team is one of the best jobs there is. You work with the best players in a country. And there aren’t that many really top countries.
“I am very happy to be here. It is different from coaching a club, but this challenge suits me well.
“In the past two years, I have had many offers, but none that I was convinced of. Things have moved very quickly here. Coaching a country, and certainly Belgium, is an honour. Every coach wants to do this.”
The colours fit. pic.twitter.com/azMJ02lDMR
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) August 7, 2026
Belgium’s crop of players in recent years has been touted as their ‘Golden Generation’, though they failed to win any trophies, with their best result a third-place finish at the 2018 World Cup.
Van Bommel noted there is work to do to get Belgium fighting for chances but insists he is aiming to win.
“As a footballer and a coach, you always want to win,” he added.
“You don’t know what will happen along the way, but you want to go as far as possible. In the Netherlands, they often say: ‘We are going to be world champions’. However, there are quite a few factors involved.
“So, I don’t want to go around shouting that we are going to win the European Championship, even though that is the reason why we are playing.”
One of the first things Garcia needs to work out is the future of Thibaut Courtois, who said after the World Cup he was thinking about taking a break.
The goalkeeper has spoken of his interest in playing under Van Bommel and wants a conversation with the new head coach.
But Van Bommel says he is not going to rush Courtois into a decision.
“We are going to talk to Thibaut first without passing judgment. He has given his opinion, and at this moment, we are not going to decide about it,” Van Bommel said.
“That wouldn’t be right if you have only spoken to each other once. Perhaps he has already revised his opinion. As soon as he is back in full training, we will fly there and talk.”
Read MoreSoccerNews Editorial Team