Mark van Bommel appointed as Belgium head coach

Belgium have appointed former Netherlands captain Mark van Bommel as their new head coach on a contract running through Euro 2028.

The 49-year-old succeeds Rudi Garcia, whose departure was confirmed after Belgium’s quarter-final exit to eventual world champions Spain at the 2026 World Cup. Van Bommel will officially take up the role on 15 August.

Van Bommel most recently managed Royal Antwerp, guiding the club to the Belgian league title, Belgian Cup and Belgian Super Cup during a successful two-year spell.

“It is a great honour to become head coach of Belgium,” Van Bommel said. “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.”

Belgian Football Association sporting director Vincent Mannaert said Van Bommel’s “international experience as both a coach and player” would help the Red Devils “continue to improve, achieve results and reach their full potential”.

Van Bommel will be assisted by Boudewijn Zenden, Maarten Martens and Reinier Robbemond, with an early task to oversee Nations League fixtures against Italy, France and Turkey across September and October.