In a significant development for Belgian football, the Royal Belgian Football Association has appointed Frenchman Rudi Garcia as the new head coach of the national team.
The decision, announced on Friday, follows the sacking of Domenico Tedesco after a string of underwhelming performances, including an early exit from Euro 2024 and struggles in the Nations League.
Garcia, 60, brings a wealth of experience to the role, having previously managed prominent clubs like Napoli, Lyon, Roma, and Marseille.
He also led Saudi club Al Nassr, further broadening his managerial portfolio. The Frenchman will be officially introduced to the media later today, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the Red Devils as they look to recover from recent setbacks.
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Belgium’s national team faces a daunting task in the coming months. They are scheduled to play a relegation play-off against Ukraine in March, a consequence of their disappointing Nations League campaign. Additionally, their 2026 World Cup qualifying journey begins with a trip to North Macedonia in June.
Garcia’s primary mission will be to rejuvenate the squad following the decline of Belgium’s celebrated “golden generation.”
Under former coach Roberto Martinez, the team enjoyed remarkable success but struggled to replicate those highs in recent years. Garcia steps in after Tedesco’s brief tenure, which began in February 2023 but failed to deliver the desired turnaround.
Garcia’s career highlights include his impressive stint at Lille, where he managed from 2008 to 2013 and solidified his reputation as a tactically astute coach. While his recent five-month spell at Napoli in 2023 ended prematurely, his broader body of work underscores his capability to guide teams through challenging transitions.
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