The Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA) has officially announced the departure of head coach Rudi Garcia following the expiration of his contract, bringing an end to his 18-month tenure in charge of the national team.
Garcia assumed control of the Belgium national team in January 2025, succeeding Domenico Tedesco. During his time at the helm, he led the “Red Devils” in 20 matches, recording 12 wins, 6 draws, and just 2 defeats, while restoring stability and cohesion to the squad.
At the 2026 World Cup, Belgium delivered a strong campaign, advancing from the group stage before defeating Senegal 3-2 in the Round of 32 and securing a convincing 4-1 victory over hosts USA in the Round of 16.
Belgium’s tournament run came to an end in the quarter-finals with a narrow 2-1 defeat against Spain. Despite the exit, the campaign was widely viewed as a positive turn of events compared to the team’s fortunes prior to Garcia’s appointment.
Vincent Mannaert, Sports Director of the Belgian FA, praised the manager’s impact: “Rudi Garcia undeniably played a pivotal role in putting the Belgian national team back on track.”
He added: “He stepped in under challenging sporting and financial circumstances. Thanks to his dedication and expertise, the team regained its strength and achieved an impressive result at the latest World Cup.”
Throughout his distinguished managerial career, Garcia has coached several prominent clubs, including Dijon, Le Mans, Lille, AS Roma, Marseille, Lyon, Al Nassr, and Napoli, before transitioning to international football with Belgium.
His crowning managerial achievements include guiding Lille to a famous Ligue 1 and Coupe de France double in the 2010–11 season, leading Marseille to the UEFA Europa League final in 2018, and taking Lyon to the UEFA Champions League semi-finals in 2020.
