Belgium appoints Mark van Bommel as new head coach until 2028

Belgium has found its next head coach, and the Red Devils are going Dutch. Mark van Bommel, the former Netherlands international and one of European football’s more decorated midfielders of his generation, has been appointed Belgium’s national team manager on a deal running until June 2028.

The appointment follows the departure of Rudi Garcia, who left the role around July 20, 2026. Reports of an agreement between Van Bommel and the Belgian Football Association surfaced the following day, with Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad among the first to confirm the deal was effectively done pending formal announcement.

Who is Van Bommel and why Belgium wanted him

As a player, Van Bommel logged over 500 club appearances and earned more than 40 caps for the Netherlands, representing a career that took him through PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan, among others.

On the coaching side, his most notable work came at Royal Antwerp, where he delivered a league and cup double in the 2022-23 season. That Belgian Pro League title was Antwerp’s first in 66 years, their first league title since 1957.

The state of Belgian football right now

Van Bommel’s contract running to June 2028 aligns with the 2026 FIFA World Cup, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The expanded 48-team format makes qualification more attainable, and Van Bommel will have time to install his system before the tournament begins.

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