Former Liverpool winger has been named as one of the new assistant coaches of Belgium.
Belgium have officially appointed former Netherlands captain Mark van Bommel as their new head coach on a two-year contract.
The 49-year-old replaces Rudi Garcia, who left after Belgium’s quarter-final exit to eventual 2026 World Cup winners Spain. Van Bommel will officially begin his role on August 15.
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Van Bommel, who most recently managed Royal Antwerp, guided the club to the Belgian league title, Belgian Cup and Belgian Super Cup during a successful two-year spell.
“It is a great honour to become head coach of Belgium. I would like to thank the Royal Belgian Football Association for their confidence in me. Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential,” Mark van Bommel said.
“Together with my coaching staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best.
“Success is never guaranteed, but hard work, honesty and commitment are. We will give everything to help this team improve every day and make the Belgian people proud. I am looking forward to meeting the players, the staff and the supporters, and beginning this new chapter together.”
Vincent Mannaert, Sports Director of the RBFA, added: “I am truly delighted that Mark van Bommel and his assistants have agreed to take on this challenge.
“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.”
Former Liverpool winger Bolo Zenden has been appointed as one of his assistant coaches, alongside Maarten Martens and Reinier Robbemond. The new staff will face early challenges with Nations League fixtures against Italy, France and Turkey in September and October.
Zenden, who earned 54 caps for the Netherlands, enjoyed a career with PSV Eindhoven, Barcelona, Chelsea, Liverpool, Marseille and Sunderland. He joined Liverpool on a free transfer from Middlesbrough in 2005 and helped the Reds reach the 2007 Champions League final.
During his time at Anfield, Zenden provided versatility across midfield and was remembered for his penalty in the 2007 Champions League semi-final shootout win over Chelsea before featuring in the final defeat to AC Milan. He left Liverpool for Marseille in 2007 after his contract expired.
Belgium
Bolo Zenden