Mark van Bommel takes over as Belgium manager: "It is the greatest honor to coach a top national team."

At his first press conference after taking office, 49-year-old Dutch legend Mark van Bommel officially began his coaching career with the Belgian national team.

In response to questions about why Van Bommel didn't wait for the Dutch national team coaching position, he frankly stated that accepting Belgium's offer was his choice without hesitation.

After reaching the World Cup quarterfinals last month, Belgium did not renew the contract of former coach Rudi Garcia. Mark van Bommel, who previously played for Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and AC Milan and won the 2010 World Cup runner-up title with the Netherlands, quickly took over the reins. Although the Netherlands also had a coaching vacancy after the World Cup, he clarified that his commitment had never wavered.

In an interview, Van Bommel stated frankly: "I never thought about waiting for the Dutch national team. As a coach, coaching a top national team is a dream job; you get to work with the best players in the country."

“I have received many offers in the past two years, but only this one has completely won me over. It is a great honor to be able to coach Belgium.”

When discussing his coaching goals and the upcoming European Championship, Van Bommel appeared pragmatic and determined: "As a coach, winning is always the top priority. But I won't shout empty words like 'we must win the championship,' although that is indeed our ultimate goal. The immediate priority is to play well in every game from now on."

One of the new manager's primary considerations is how to retain veteran goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Courtois had previously expressed his desire to temporarily retire from the national team, to which Van Bommel responded in an interview: "We will communicate with Thibaut without any preconceived notions."

"It's too early to draw conclusions. Perhaps he has changed his mind. Once he resumes full training, I will personally fly over to talk to him face to face."

Van Bommel will make his Belgian managerial debut on September 25 in the UEFA Nations League against Italy, followed by international matches against Turkey and France, officially ushering in a new era for Belgium.

Image source: Internet