The Search For A New Head Coach

May 1st, 2009 | by: julien | No Comments »

On April 7th, the Royal Belgian Football Association (KBVB/URBSF) dismissed René Vandereycken from his position of head coach for the Rode Duivels. He was largely fired for Belgium’s match results under Vandereycken. Certainly, qualifying for the next World Cup is a high priority for the Belgian FA. Belgium currently sits 4th out of 6th in Group 5 of the European qualifying zone. Spain and Bosnia-Herzegovina (whom played a good match against Belgium) sit atop the group. Belgium’s last World Cup appearance was in 2002 where the Rode Duivels got as far as Round 2. Supposedly, there are over 20 potential candidates to replace René Vandereycken’s post. The list includes such notable managers as Dick Advocaat and Eric Gerets, but also Michel Preud’homme, Jean-Pierre Papin, Jean-François De Sart, Marc Wilmots, Hugo Broos, Laszlo Boloni, and Louis van Gaal. Thus far Gerets and Preud’homme have turned down the position. I’m hoping Dick Advocaat will accept the position. The FC Zenit St. Petersburg manager would be a great addition to the Rode Duivels, bringing experience and hopefully momentum in the World Cup qualifying stage. Things look bleak now, but perhaps a manager like Dick Advocaat can turn things around and potentially clinch a spot in South Africa next year. He recently took time out of his day to meet with the Belgian FA at a restaurant where he discussed the opportunity. Advocaat, has reportedly announced that he could see himself managing Belgium and expressed his desire to do so. In the past, he has coached South Korea, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates.