Belgium opted to change its coaching team following the World Cup, when it was eliminated by Spain in the quarter-finals, having hammered the US in the round before
19:05, 24 Jul 2026
Bolo Zenden, Marcel Maijer and Theo Jansen before a Champions League game between Borussia Dortmund and PSV in 2024.
Bolo Zenden, Marcel Maijer and Theo Jansen before a Champions League game between Borussia Dortmund and PSV in 2024.(Image: Marcel van Dorst/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Former Liverpool, Chelsea and Netherlands winger Bolo Zenden has been named as one of the new assistant coaches of Belgium, with Mark van Bommel, the Bayern Munich legend, taking charge.
Rudi Garcia, who was previously the manager, was let go by Belgium after the World Cup. The country's FA decided against renewing his contract, with Van Bommel and Zenden, who made 47 appearances for Liverpool, among those to be taking over.
"Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential," Van Bommel said in a press conference. "Together with my coaching staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best."
Van Bommel has coached PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, and Royal Antwerp FC. He boosted his coaching reputation in Belgium by winning a league and cup double with the latter in 2023, ending a 66-year title drought.
As a player, Van Bommel represented top European clubs including Barcelona, Bayern Munich and AC Milan. He was also in the Dutch team that reached the final of the World Cup in 2010, losing to Spain.
"Success is never guaranteed, but hard work, honesty and commitment are," Van Bommel added. "We will give everything to help this team improve every day and make the Belgian people proud."
Bolo Zenden of Ziggo Sport is present during the match between PSV and Arsenal at the Philips Stadium for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 1st leg, season 2024-2025, in Eindhoven, Netherlands, on March 4, 2025.
Former Liverpool player Bolo Zenden.(Image: Stefan Koops / EYE4images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Alongside Zenden, Maarten Martens and Reinier Robbemond have also been named as Van Bommel's assistants.
"I am truly delighted that Mark van Bommel and his assistants have agreed to take on this challenge," Belgian soccer federation sports director Vincent Mannaert said.
"They are highly motivated and ambitious, and I am convinced that, with their international experience as both coaches and players, they will be perfectly placed to help our Belgian Red Devils continue to improve, achieve results and reach their full potential, both individually and as a team."
The news comes on the same day that Liverpool legend Jurgen Klopp was introduced as the new head coach of Germany, taking over from Julian Nagelsmann.
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During the press conference that confirmed his appointment, Klopp warned he would not hesitate to walk away from the job if media and public scrutiny impacted his family.
"The day you don't want me anymore, I'm gone — without any severance pay," he said.
"If you behave badly and don't leave my family in peace, I'm gone. Criticize me if something doesn’t work. I’m happy to work on it. It’s all about the job.
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"I know there are other countries where national team coaches are treated even worse. I love this job, but I am always ready to call it quits if need be."