World Cup quarterfinalist invests heavily in the rise of Mark van Bommel
1 min readBelgium has said goodbye to Rudi Garcia as national team coach and the KBVB wants to appoint PSV icon Mark van Bommel as the new national team coach as a result. That is reported by Mike Verweij from De Telegraaf.
The former PSV coach has been working in Belgium as coach of Royal Antwerp FC from 2022 to 2024 and is now at the top of the list with the Belgian football association, as Verweij knows. The Belgians have to look for a new national team coach since the collaboration with Garcia has been terminated.
''It is clear that the Belgians, just like the German football association (DFB), move quickly. After the dismissal of Julian Nagelsmann, the Germans immediately made contact with Jurgen Klopp. Van Bommel is now the top favorite in Belgium. The former player of PSV, FC Barcelona, AC Milan, Bayern München and Oranje does not want to respond to the interest himself, but that is confirmed by multiple sources'', the journalist writes.
Last week, news also came out that Van Bommel was on the list to become head coach of the Red Devils. Among others, Het Laatste Nieuws reported on this.
Since his departure from Antwerp in 2024, Van Bommel has been without a club. Before that, the former midfielder was coach of PSV from 2018 to December 2019, after which the ex-footballer was dismissed.
In 2021, the former PSV captain was then appointed as coach of VfL Wolfsburg, but had to step down again in October 2021 in order to become coach of Royal Antwerp FC in the summer of 2022. With that team, Van Bommel won the national title in 2023, and in addition, the Belgian Cup was also secured that year, meaning the double was won.
Comments8
"Van Bommel is nu de topfavoriet in België" and everyone knows PSV fans will be watching this closely. I just wonder who replaces his role at club level, because taking a job like that without the club pressure is not the same as PSV daily work. Would love to see PSV cash in on the best possible coaching path too.
"Van Bommel is nu de topfavoriet in België." Echt? Dan was Rudi Garcia dus echt snel weg. Ik ben benieuwd hoe hij dat gaat doen met spelers als die Rode Duivels niet allemaal topfit zijn, want Van Bommel was bij PSV vaak goed met structuur, maar mistte net die consistentie. Als hij Belgische dubbel kan, kan hij ook bondscoach winnen... maar wel meteen vuur doordrukken 🔥
idk tbh, ik vind het wel een slimme zet van België, want hij kent de mentaliteit en heeft een bewezen prijs in Antwerpen. Wel jammer dat hij nu waarschijnlijk weer weg is, want PSV kan zo'n type trainer gewoon gebruiken. "De Belgen ... snel doorschakelen" ja dat klopt dus, fr fr 😅
He was already linked last week, now it sounds like De Telegraaf confirms the top favorite status. I get the DFB comparison and the quick switch, but letting Rudi Garcia go and immediately betting on a former PSV coach still feels a bit of a gamble. Still, the double with Antwerp in 2023 was no fluke.
As Belgium komt echt bij Mark van Bommel, dan is dat natuurlijk wraakgevoel maar ook hype. Maar honestly, na zijn ontslag bij PSV en daarna weer meteen aanshijnen in België... hij heeft bewezen dat hij dit soort druk aankan. Meteen topfavoriet zijn is wel echt snel schakelen van de KBVB 👀
🔥 Van Bommel in charge of De Rode Duivels? Peak PSV legacy, tbh. If he builds like at Antwerp, we might see aggressive pressing again.
ngl i find it a bit risky for Belgium, van Bommel is still a bit unproven as a national team manager. Antwerp was elite, but international football is a totally different beast. If they want quick results, why not go even more experienced?
This would be such a PSV-to-Belgium flex, Van Bommel knows Belgian football from Antwerp. Just hope PSV lets him go and doesnt regret it next season. Also, without a club since 2024, this feels like a perfect timing move.