Rudi Garcia leaves Belgium after World Cup exit

BRUSSELS: Belgium coach Rudi Garcia has stepped down after the team’s quarter-final elimination at the World Cup, the Belgian football federation said on Monday.

Garcia, 62, was appointed in January 2025 after replacing Domenico Tedesco. During his time in charge, Belgium reached the last eight of the World Cup before losing to eventual champions Spain. He also guided the side to safety in Nations League A while overseeing a squad built around experienced players including Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois.

In a statement, the RBFA thanked Garcia and his staff for their work during his 18 months in charge.

We sincerely thank Rudi Garcia and his staff for their dedication, professionalism and commitment over the past 18 months,

The federation added:

And wish them every success in the future,

RBFA sporting director Vincent Mannaert said Garcia had played an important role in restoring the team during a difficult period.

Rudi Garcia has undoubtedly contributed to the revival of the Red Devils,

Mannaert added that the coach had taken over in testing sporting and financial circumstances.

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

He said Garcia’s work helped rebuild unity within the squad and produced a strong World Cup campaign.

Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and an excellent result was achieved at the last World Cup,

Belgium finished first in their group and then defeated co-hosts the United States 4-1 in the round of 16. That match was overshadowed by US President Donald Trump’s call on FIFA to suspend Folarin Balogun’s red card ban. Belgium were then knocked out by Spain in the quarter-finals. Their best World Cup performance remains the third-place finish in 2018.

Garcia said on Instagram that he was leaving with Belgium still in the top tier of the Nations League and among the leading teams at the tournament.

I leave Belgium in League A of the Nations League and among the 8 best teams in the world,

He also pointed to Spain’s tournament record while reflecting on Belgium’s exit.

Only Spain, the new world champions, against whom we were the only team to score a goal in eight matches, prevented us from going even further in the most prestigious of competitions,

Garcia described himself as ready for another role in either international or club football.

I'm ready once again, to pursue new ambitions with a national team or at club level,

He also said he hoped Belgium would continue the transition to a younger side.

I wish Belgium all the best as they continue the generational change that I took pleasure in helping to start,

Garcia’s Belgium job was his first in international management. Earlier in his coaching career, he had spells with Lille, Roma and Marseille. In 2023, he spent five months at Napoli before being dismissed after 16 matches. Under Garcia, Belgium continued to rely on senior members of the so-called Golden Generation while also giving opportunities to younger players such as Jeremy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere and Nathan Ngoy.

Before Garcia’s appointment, Tedesco had led Belgium to the last 16 at Euro 2024. Roberto Martinez, who preceded Tedesco, left after Belgium were eliminated in the group stage of the previous World Cup.