New Delhi: Belgium’s National Football team have a new head coach in charge as the Belgian FA has officially announced the appointment of Rudi Garcia as their new head coach. The 60-year-old Frenchman replaces Domenico Tedesco, who was dismissed last week after a turbulent tenure that lasted less than two years. Garcia brings with him a wealth of experience, having managed several prominent European clubs during his career, but this will mark his first foray into international management.
Domenico Tedesco was brought in during February 2023 with the hope of rejuvenating the squad and injecting new energy. However, under his management, the team fell short at the 2024 European Championship, bowing out in the Round of 16 after a loss to France. Further poor performances in the UEFA Nations League sealed Tedesco’s fate, leaving Belgium once again searching for stability and success.
His tenure was also marred by controversy after he had a falling out with Belgian number one Thibaut Courtois, who’s considered one of the best keepers in the world. Tedesco decided to drop the Real Madrid keeper from his squad, not taking him with the national team for the Euros. During his run, captain Kevin De Bruyne also called out the team’s poor form in the Euros, making for unnecessary negative publicity for the side.
Garcia’s appointment offers a fresh start for Belgium, with hopes that his extensive experience in club management can translate to success at the international level. His most successful stint, leading Lille to domestic glory, showcased his ability to get the best out of a group of players. However, managing a national team comes with unique challenges, including less time to work with players and greater scrutiny from the public and media.
Our new Red Devils’ head coach, Rudi Garcia. 🔱 pic.twitter.com/RSBxOGvCsp
— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) January 24, 2025
The 60-year-old’s most notable achievements include leading Lille to a Ligue 1 title and being named Ligue 1 Manager of the Year in 2011. His coaching journey has also taken him to clubs like Roma, Marseille, Lyon, and most recently, Napoli. However, his tenure at Napoli was short-lived, with Garcia being dismissed in 2023 after managing just 16 games, half of which ended in victories. Before that, he had a brief stint in Saudi Arabia with Al Nassr, where he mutually parted ways with the club after 10 months in charge.
The task ahead for Garcia is far from straightforward. Belgium, currently ranked eighth in the FIFA World Rankings, has been struggling to find their rhythm since the end of the Roberto Martínez era. Martínez left the team after a disappointing 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign, where Belgium, once hailed as a “Golden Generation,” failed to live up to their potential. Garcia’s immediate challenge will be to prepare Belgium for their Nations League play-offs against Ukraine in March 2025.
Speaking about his new role, Garcia expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity and acknowledged the challenges ahead. “Belgium is a team with immense potential, and I am excited to work with such a talented group of players. The journey won’t be easy, but I believe we can achieve great things together,” he said during his introductory press conference. For Garcia, this is an opportunity to reshape his narrative after mixed results in recent club roles.
Other candidates being considered for the role
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Kasper Hjulmand was offered the job to become Belgium’s new manager but turned it down, according to @sachatavolieri. pic.twitter.com/lm4yczV7ee
— Danish Scout (@DanishScout_) January 19, 2025
While Garcia got the role ultimately, he wasn’t the only one being considered to be named the head coach of the Belgian National Team. Former Belgium assistant manager, Thierry Henry was also on the radar of the Red Devils due to his connection with the national team as he spent two different spells as assistant to Roberto Martinez. Henry impressed during this past summer’s Olympics, guiding the France U23 squad to the gold medal, increasing his stock in the market.
Other names under consideration were current Rangers boss Philippe Clement. The 50-year-old is a former Belgian International and spent years managing various clubs in the country, which made him a decent shout while the FA reportedly reached out to Kasper Hjulmand as well. The former Denmark manager impressed during his tenure with the Danes, particularly in the UEFA Euro 2020, where he guided them to a semi-final finish but he reportedly turned the offer down.
The Belgian FA have named former AS Roma and Napoli boss Rudi Garcia as the successor to Domenico Tedesco following the sacking of the German manager last week. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
