Belgium Names Rudi Garcia as New National Team Coach

Belgium appoints Rudi Garcia as new national team coach after sacking Domenico Tedesco following a disappointing EURO 2024 campaign.

The Royal Belgian Football Association announced on Friday that Frenchman Rudi Garcia has been appointed as the new head coach of the Belgian national team. Garcia, 60, succeeds Domenico Tedesco, who was sacked last week following a disappointing EURO 2024 campaign and sub-par performances in the Nations League. The federation will formally introduce Garcia to the press at an event later in the day.

Garcia, a seasoned coach with experience managing top-tier clubs like Napoli, Lyon, Roma, Marseille, and Al Nassr, will be tasked with revitalizing the Red Devils. Belgium's early exit from EURO 2024 and recent struggles in the Nations League led to Tedesco's dismissal. Garcia's immediate challenge will be to prepare the team for a relegation play-off against Ukraine in March.

Our new Red Devils’ head coach, Rudi Garcia. 🔱 pic.twitter.com/RSBxOGvCsp

— Belgian Red Devils (@BelRedDevils) January 24, 2025

Garcia's latest managerial stint was an unsuccessful five-month tenure at Napoli in 2023, during the club's tumultuous post-Scudetto-winning season. However, he initially made a name for himself in coaching at French side Lille from 2008-2013. Garcia will have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the Belgian team, starting with their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, which kicks off with a trip to North Macedonia in June.

Tedesco, Garcia's predecessor, was appointed in February 2023 to replace Roberto Martinez and rebuild the squad as Belgium's “golden generation” departed. However, his tenure was cut short due to the team's underwhelming performances.