Garcia’s exit leaves Belgium searching for a new coach

Rudi Garcia, 62, will leave his role as Belgium national team coach after a 20‑match spell that yielded only two defeats – a 3‑1 loss to Ukraine and a 2‑1 World Cup loss to Spain – as his contract expires following the WK. The football association and the Rode Duivels have agreed to part ways by mutual consent, allowing the process to appoint a successor to begin.

According to Niels PoissonnierChef Voetbal at HLN20, the federation confirmed the separation and noted that the decision aligns with expectations. The report, published as a Google-favoriet‌Hoewel piece, emphasized that the agreement was reached in underling overleg.

Garcia’s contract ran its course after the WK, and the choice not to sign a new deal had been uncertain for weeks. Recent weeks saw increasing ruis surrounding the relationship between the former‑coach and the football association.

Sources highlighted a lack of continuity, Garcia’s nervousness before and during internationals, his old‑school approach, and clashes with certain staff members. Sports Director Vincent Mannaert, supported by signals from the players, said there was little draagvlak for a new agreement.

Garcia took over the Rode Duivels in early 2025 after a failed EK and a dramatic Nations League campaign, replacing Domenico Tedesco. He restored confidence, counting again on Courtois, De Bruyne and Lukaku, and delivered what was required.

During his tenure the team played 20 matches, losing only two – the 3‑1 defeat to Ukraine in Murcia and the 2‑1 WK loss to Spain – which happened to be his first and last internationals. Those results framed his overall record.

The period was marked by turbulent fixtures against Ukraine, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan and Iran, as well as a public clash with VTM NIEUWS journalist Gilles De Bilde. Garcia refused an interview with De Bilde after the WK‑qualifier against Liechtenstein.

Even after the WK, division persisted over his persona, with the question “Is he now gek of geniaal?” frequently raised. The football federation’s sportieve bazen concluded that a contract extension would not guarantee the desired success, and thus the collaboration will not be renewed.

The federation now faces a tight timetable, with the first four Nations League matches against Italy, France and Turkey scheduled for the end of September. One candidate mentioned for the role is Mark van Bommel, the architect of the double with Antwerp FC.