Mark van Bommel has been appointed head coach of the Belgium national team after deciding not to wait for an opportunity with the Netherlands.
The 49-year-old manager was chosen quickly to replace Rudi Garcia, whose contract was not renewed after Belgium reached the World Cup quarter-finals last month. Van Bommel said he did not hesitate to accept the offer once negotiations moved fast.
Speaking at his first press conference on Friday since his appointment at the end of July, Van Bommel said he did not consider waiting for the Dutch national team post. The Netherlands is currently searching for a replacement for Ronald Koeman.
Targeting titles and Nations League
Van Bommel said managing a national team is one of the best jobs in football because it allows a coach to work with a country's top players. He noted that while he received several offers over the past two years, none convinced him until Belgium offered him the role.
The former Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Milan player also represented the Netherlands in the 2010 World Cup final. He said his primary objective as a coach is to win, although he avoided making promises about winning titles.
Van Bommel explained that teams in the Netherlands often declare they will become world champions, but many factors affect the outcome. He said he would not promise to win the European Championship, even though that remains the team's goal.
His first match in charge will take place in the Nations League on September 25 against Italy in Rome. Belgium will then face Turkey twice and France during the international fixtures scheduled for September and October.
Talks planned with Thibaut Courtois
Van Bommel was also asked about goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who announced after the World Cup that he intended to step away from the national team temporarily.
The new coach said he plans to speak directly with Courtois in person once the player returns to normal training. He emphasized that he will not make any immediate decisions or pass judgment after a single conversation, adding that Courtois might change his mind.
