Stéphane Pauwels sharply attacks Van Bommel in Belgium

After Mark van Bommel's first international break, there is cautious optimism in Belgium, but journalist Stéphane Pauwels expresses sharp criticism of the new national coach, denouncing his appointment and the recent 4‑1 defeat to France.

Criticism of the appointment

The journalist accuses the people who appointed Van Bommel of a blind choice. He points to the ended collaboration with former national coach Rudi Garcia, who, according to Pauwels, delivered “excellent work”. “Our big, very ‘Flemish‑diluted’ federation with its Flemish bosses decided to take a Dutch trainer,” he says.

Pauwels continues: “He only won the league title and the cup with Antwerp. So we appoint a national coach who could also have been at Moeskroen or Poperinge, they would have taken him as well. It had to be a Fleming!” With this he underscores a sense of missing a Flemish leader within the national team.

Tactical choices under fire

The 4‑1 defeat to France confirms, according to Pauwels, that Van Bommel is not suitable; he thought the substitutions were too late. “He was just doing whatever and we swallowed four more goals,” his argument went. He also does not understand why Charles De Ketelaere was allowed to come on instead of Matias Fernandez‑Pardo.

Hans Vanaken stayed on the pitch for a long time, although “he had been on sleeping pills since the start of the match”. Debutant Maarten Vandevoordt was blamed and was called “a sketch” by Pauwels. These choices illustrate, in his view, a lack of tactical insight.

The conclusion about Van Bommel is harsh: “He just does whatever”. Pauwels also points to the coach’s arrogant demeanor, with “his hands constantly in his pockets”. “He makes stupid substitutions, but after the match he still claims that we have beaten a great nation,” the journalist says.

Finally, he states that with previous national coaches far more criticism would have arisen, but now the Belgian FA is “just satisfied”. Pauwels expects this satisfaction to change quickly if the results do not improve.