Van Bommel had no hesitations on Belgium job
Mark van Bommel says he did not hesitate to accept his new job as Belgium's head coach, despite Netherlands also seeking a new boss.
The Dutchman replaced Rudi Garcia, who left at the end of his contract in July after Belgium's quarter-final exit from the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the hands of eventual champion Spain.
The Red Devils topped Group G, but were unconvincing at times, and earned a dramatic Round of 32 win over Senegal before thumping co-host United States.
Van Bommel has signed a contract with Belgium through to UEFA Euro 2028, with his first task a UEFA Nations League campaign that begins in September.
However, with his home nation also looking for a new head coach, Van Bommel could have found a different landing place, but he says he jumped at the chance to join Belgium.
"Did I want to wait for the Dutch national team? No, not at all. I didn't even think about that," he said at his unveiling.
"As a coach, 鈥媌eing in charge of a national team is one of the best jobs there is. You work 鈥媤ith the best players in a country. And there aren't that many really top countries.
"I 鈦燼m very happy to be here. It is different from coaching a club, but this challenge suits me well.
"In the past two years, I have had many offers, but none that I was convinced of. Things have moved very quickly here. Coaching a country, and certainly Belgium, is an honour. Every coach wants to do this."
Belgium's crop of players in recent years has been touted as its golden generation, but it has failed to win any trophies, with its best result a third-place finish at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Van Bommel noted there is work to do to get Belgium fighting for chances but insists he is aiming to win.
"As a footballer and a coach, you always want to win," he added.
"You don't know what will happen along the way, but you want to go as far as possible. In the Netherlands, they often say: 'We are going to be world champions'. However, there are quite a few factors involved.
"So, I don't want to go around shouting that we are going to win the European Championship, even though that 鈥媔s the reason why 鈥媤e are playing."
One of the first things Van Bommel needs to work out is the future of Thibaut Courtois, who said after the 2026 FIFA World Cup that he was thinking about taking a break.
The goalkeeper has spoken of his interest in playing under Van Bommel and wants a conversation with the new head coach.
But Van Bommel says he is not going to rush Courtois into a decision.
"We are going to talk to Thibaut first without passing judgment. He has given his opinion, and at this moment, 鈦爓e are not going to decide about it," Van Bommel said.
"That wouldn't be right if 鈥媦ou have only spoken to each other once. Perhaps he has already revised his opinion. As soon as he is back in full training, we will fly there and talk."
