January 27 – Frenchman Rudi Garcia (pictured) has been named the new manager of Belgium following the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco. His contract runs through until the 2026 World Cup.
Dutchman Louis van Gaal and local favourite Michel Preud’Homme were also among the candidates shortlisted, but the Belgian FA – a week after the dismissal of Tedesco – settled for the 60-year-old Frenchman, who has enjoyed previous coaching stints at AS Roma, Marseille, Olympique Lyon and Napoli. At Lille, he also managed Eden Hazard, who for years headed ‘Belgium’s golden generation’.
With only Romelu Lukaku and Kevin De Bruyne, left from generation, Garcia said he wants Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois – another survivor of Hazard’s generation – to return to the national team. Courtois had a falling out with Tedesco that saw him withdraw from the team.
Courtois is one of the most important players. Of course, we have a lot of quality in goal, with Matz Sels and Koen Casteels. But if the best goalkeeper in the world is Belgian, you want him in the squad. The signals are already positive, Thibaut has been able to make his position clear. We are counting on him, that is clear,” said Garcia.
His predecessor Tedesco was dismissed after a disappointing Euro 2024 and underwhelming Nations League, culminating in a 1-0 defeat at the hands of lowly Israel.
By then, Tedesco had lost the dressing room with marquee players keen on skipping national team duties.
Garcia said: “I really want the players to come to the national team with a passion. If you look at the match against Israel: there were a lot of absentees. I thought that was not normal. You have to be proud to wear this shirt. Actually, they should even want to come on foot. Representing your country is the best thing there is.”
Garcia will make his Belgian management debut in March in the Nations League playoffs against Ukraine.
In a bid to reconnect with the fanbase, Belgium have switched the home tie from Brussels to Genk. The doubleheader will serve as a warmup for the World Cup qualifiers that will kick off in June with a trip to North Macedonia and an encounter with familiar foe Wales. In 2026, Belgium want to bounce back from their disastrous first-round exit at the last World Cup in Qatar.
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