Belgium turn away from the Golden Generation as De Bruyne and Lukaku step back

Belgium’s senior side launch their Nations League campaign without banking on the remnants of the Golden Generation, as chief football officer Niels Poissonnier warned that reliance on Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku must end. The statement came ahead of Mark Van Bommel’s debut as national coach in Rome, signalling a clear strategic pivot. Poissonnier, the Chef Voetbal at, outlined the revamped backroom team under Van Bommel. The coach arrived in Rome on the evening of 25 September 2026, ready to implement a modern, stress‑resilient approach after the previous regime’s mixed results.

Van Bommel, speaking in the Tubize auditorium, praised the existing talent pool and promised higher standards across all levels. He added that the training intensity had already risen, with many players quickly grasping his ideas, a sign he believes will translate into better performances in the Nations League and the upcoming European Championship.

Players’ reflections on the past and future

De Bruyne, in a candid interview after Belgium’s 2‑0 win over France, admitted that the team must improve in every way and that “if you cannot handle the top, you are not good enough”. He hinted at an eventual retirement, repeating “I stop, I stop, I stop”, while stressing the need for collective effort.

Mark van Bommel opens the doors to a historic era in Rome

Lukaku, who preferred to stay in Naples to work on his fitness, expressed frustration at the negative narrative surrounding the squad. Dodi Lukebakio echoed this sentiment, arguing that comparisons with the old generation hinder the building of a new one and that the prevailing negativity must end for younger players to thrive.

Other voices, such as Norman Bassette – now a striker for Westerlo – and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who refused selection under former coach Domenico Tedesco, illustrate the broader discontent that prompted the recent overhaul.

Van Bommel avoids pieter‑Jan Calcoen's trap in Rome

Van Bommel concluded his pre‑match talk by recalling Mancini’s footage and asserting that the team could “play the pans of the roof” if luck favours them, urging a shift in mentality for the Nations League and the forthcoming European Championship.