Mark van Bommel is about to take on a special role as national team coach
1 min readMark van Bommel is almost certain to become the new national coach of Belgium. This is reported by, among others, the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. And that may be called quite remarkable, because the PSV icon is certainly ready for such a major international assignment, but at the same time is not the first person you think of...
According to this newspaper, van Bommel has, aside from a few details, reached agreement on a contract through the 2028 European Championship. As a result, the PSV icon will be Belgium head coach at least until that tournament.
The KBVB said earlier this week goodbye to Rudi Garcia under whom the quarterfinal of the World Cup in North America was reached. In it, our Southern neighbors lost 2-1 to the eventual world champion Spain.
Mike Verweij of De Telegraaf had already reported earlier this week that Van Bommel was at the top of the list to become the new head coach of the Belgians. The former PSV coach had already worked in Belgium previously as coach of Royal Antwerp FC between 2022 and 2024.
With the club from Antwerp, Van Bommel won the double in his first season, and in the summer of 2024 the team decided to bid farewell to the PSV icon. For that, the former PSV and VfL Wolfsburg midfielder was coach of the team.
Now Van Bommel, after more than two years, is returning to football again. The PSV icon will, for the first time, be on the touchline in September when the Red Devils begin the Nations League.
Comments7
"minimaal tot aan dat EK bondscoach zijn" that's commitment, respect. But tbh Belgium need structure more than another familiar PSV face.
imo this is a downgrade for his own development, you leave PSV and jump into national-team politics. That Nations League start in September is not an easy intro too.
Contract tot EK 2028 is wild. Als hij die "paar details" rond krijgt, dan is het gewoon een zekerheidje.
EK 2028 bondscoach for Mark... thats peak recognition 👏🔥. I just hope the NT deal does not take his fire away from club-level football.
Belgium with Van Bommel sounds like a proper identity move. Antwerp already showed he can win fast, so tbh i think he will set a tough system. Still, leaving PSV for national duties mid-cycle is gonna hurt.
If this is true, fair play to Mark, EK 2028 is a long runway. But damn, as a PSV fan i still wanted him staying for at least one more big season.
Brilliant for Belgium, but im gonna miss Van Bommel at PSV. 😅 Hope he leaves our principles intact, because his Antwerp story was peak.