New Belgium boss Mark van Bommel hails players with “enormous potential” | OneFootball

Mark van Bommel has been announced as Belgium’s new head coach. The former PSV, VfL Wolfsburg, and Antwerp boss, among others, comes in as Rudi Garcia’s successor on a two-year deal.

In his press unveiling with the FA, the former Netherlands international midfielder said, “It is a great honour to become head coach of Belgium.”

In grateful comments to the Belgian Football Association, the ex-PSV and Barcelona stalwart spoke with determined vigour. “Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential. Together with my technical staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious, and brave enough to compete with the very best.”

“Success is never guaranteed”, he continued, “but hard work, honesty, and dedication are.” The Dutchman saw Belgium reach the quarter-finals at the 2026 World Cup. Now it’s up to him to ensure that the Red Devils qualify for the 2028 European Championship.

“We will give everything to help this team improve every day and make the Belgian people proud. I look forward to meeting the players, the staff, and the supporters and starting this new chapter together.”

Van Bommel’s first game in the dugout will be Belgium’s Nations League group clash with Italy on September 25. KNVB Sporting Director, Vincent Mannaert, is pleased with Van Bommel’s arrival and can’t wait to get started.

“I am very pleased that Mark van Bommel and his assistants have accepted our challenge. They are hungry and ambitious. Thanks to their international experience as a coach and player, I am convinced that they can perfectly help our Red Devils to continue to grow, achieve results, and fully utilise their potential on an individual and collective level.”

GBeNeFN | Max Bradfield