Rudi Garcia has spoken publicly for the first time since his departure as Belgium head coach, thanking his players, sporting director Vincent Mannaert, and the fans while reflecting proudly on his 18-month spell in charge and looking ahead to new challenges.
Rudi Garcia broke his silence on Instagram on Monday after the Belgian Football Association (KBVB) confirmed that his tenure as Belgium’s head coach had come to an end. The 62-year-old French manager shared a heartfelt message, expressing his appreciation to his players, sporting director Vincent Mannaert, and the Belgian supporters.
“Following discussions with the Belgian Football Association, we have mutually decided not to extend the successful partnership we have built over the past eighteen months,” Garcia wrote. “I leave Belgium having secured our place in the UEFA Nations League A division and with the team ranked among the world’s top eight. Only the eventual world champions, Spain—against whom we managed to score in every one of our eight encounters—stood in our way of advancing further in football’s biggest tournament.”
Despite his departure, Garcia made it clear that he leaves with no resentment and is already focused on the next chapter of his career.
“I would like to sincerely thank my outstanding squad, sporting director Vincent Mannaert, and all the fans who supported us throughout the World Cup, even those who stayed up through the night to cheer us on from Europe. I am now ready to embrace new challenges, whether with another national team or at club level. I wish Belgium every success as it continues its generational transition, a process I am proud to have helped set in motion,” he concluded.
Garcia was appointed Belgium’s head coach on 1 February last year, replacing Domenico Tedesco. During his spell in charge, he guided the Red Devils to safety in Nations League A and secured qualification for the FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Belgium’s campaign ultimately ended in the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out by eventual champions Spain.
