Manager Garcia to leave Belgium when contract expires

• Published 19 minutes ago

Belgium manager Rudi Garcia will leave his role after the country's football association decided against extending his contract.

Garcia led Belgium to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup where they were defeated 2-1 by eventual champions Spain.

The 62-year-old replaced Domenico Tedesco as Belgium boss in January 2025 on a contract that will expire at the end of July.

"Rudi Garcia has unquestionably played a key role in restoring the Belgian Red Devils," said Royal Belgian FA sports director Vincent Mannaert.

"He was appointed national coach in a challenging sporting and financial context.

"Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and a strong result was achieved at the most recent World Cup.

"On behalf of the federation, I would like to warmly thank Rudi and his assistants for the past 18 months.

"Together with my team, I am currently preparing for a new cycle, including the appointment of a new national coach."

Belgium failed to convince during the group stage and won just one of their three matches, but produced a remarkable late comeback to beat Senegal 3-2 in the round of 32.

Garcia's side impressed in a 4-1 win over tournament co-hosts United States , a match overshadowed by Fifa's decision to suspend the suspension of US striker Folarin Balogun - Garcia likened the incident to an April Fools' Day joke.

The former Roma, Lyon and Napoli manager has not lasted more than two years in a job since leaving Marseille in 2019.

Related topics

• Football
• FIFA World Cup 2026
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