Mark van Bommel appointed as new national coach of the Belgian Red Devils

Mark van Bommel has signed a contract that will see him lead Belgium's national team through UEFA EURO 2028.

As a coach, Mark van Bommel has managed PSV Eindhoven, VfL Wolfsburg and Royal Antwerp FC, where he enjoyed remarkable success by leading the club to a historic domestic double, winning both the Belgian Pro League and the Belgian Cup during the 2022–23 season.

As a player, Mark van Bommel performed at the highest level for some of Europe's most prestigious clubs, including PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona, FC Bayern Munich, and AC Milan. He also earned 79 caps for the Netherlands national team, scoring 10 goals. His greatest achievement on the international stage came when he helped the Netherlands reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup Final in South Africa.

To assist Mark van Bommel, the RBFA is strengthening the Belgian Red Devils’ coaching staff with three experienced figures from the world of football. Boudewijn Zenden, Maarten Martens and Reinier Robbemond will take up the roles of assistant coaches with the Belgian national team.

Boudewijn Zenden can look back on an impressive playing career, having played for clubs including PSV Eindhoven, FC Barcelona, Chelsea FC, Liverpool FC, Olympique Marseille and Sunderland AFC. The former Dutch international made 54 appearances for the Netherlands and gained experience as an assistant coach at Chelsea FC and Jong PSV.

Maarten Martens made a name for himself as a creative midfielder, notably at AZ Alkmaar, with whom he won the Dutch league title. The former Belgian Red Devil has also established himself in recent years as a highly promising head coach at AZ Alkmaar.

Reinier Robbemond will bring his extensive experience of Dutch professional football to the role. Following a long playing career, he has served as head coach at clubs including FC Oss, De Graafschap and Willem II. He has also held the position of assistant coach at PSV Eindhoven (under Mark van Bommel) and at Maccabi Tel Aviv FC.

“I am truly delighted that Mark van Bommel and his assistants have agreed to take on this challenge. They are highly motivated and ambitious, and I am convinced that, with their international experience as both coaches and players, they will be perfectly placed to help our Belgian Red Devils continue to improve, achieve results and reach their full potential, both individually and as a team.”
​Vincent Mannaert, Sports Director of the RBFA

“It is a great honour to become national coach of Belgium. I would like to thank the Royal Belgian Football Association for their confidence in me. Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential. Together with my coaching staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best.
​Success is never guaranteed, but hard work, honesty and commitment are. We will give everything to help this team improve every day and make the Belgian people proud. I am looking forward to meeting the players, the staff and the supporters, and beginning this new chapter together.”
​Mark van Bommel

Until the official presentation of our new national coach, which will take place on Friday 7 August at 12:00, neither the Royal Belgian Football Association nor Mark van Bommel and his assistants will make any further comments on this matter.