Another shocking announcement made by Benjamin Garcia concerning their coach

In a surprising turn of events, the Belgian Football Association has appointed Frenchman Rudi Garcia as the new head coach of the national team, following the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco after a lackluster Euro 2024 performance. Garcia, 60, brings a wealth of experience from his tenure with clubs like Napoli, Lyon, and Roma. Notably, he led Lille to a Ligue 1 title in 2011 and guided Lyon to the Champions League semi-finals in 2020. citeturn0search9

In a move that has garnered significant attention, Garcia has enlisted former Belgian captain Eden Hazard as his assistant coach. Hazard, who retired from international football in 2022, previously played under Garcia at Lille. Garcia emphasized Hazard’s potential impact, stating, “Eden knows me very well, he knows the players. He will be a good link during this 18-month adventure.” citeturn0search9

One of Garcia’s immediate priorities is to persuade Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to return to the national team. Courtois had distanced himself from international duties following a dispute over the captaincy under Tedesco’s leadership. Garcia expressed optimism, noting, “Even if there is quality in goal with Matz Sels and Koen Casteels, we are counting on Thibaut, who I consider to be the best goalkeeper in the world.” citeturn0search9

Garcia’s appointment marks his first venture into international management. He faces the challenge of rejuvenating a Belgian squad that has seen the retirement of several key players from its “golden generation.” The team’s immediate focus will be the Nations League relegation play-off against Ukraine in March, followed by the commencement of their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in June. citeturn0search9

The dual appointments of Garcia and Hazard have injected a renewed sense of optimism among Belgian football supporters, who are eager to see the national team reclaim its position among the world’s elite.