The Search For A New Head Coach

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.
More Belgium News
Looking Ahead: Belgium vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina

At the end of this month the Rode Duivels will play a World Cup 2010 Qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina. The match will played in Genk, Belgium and kickoff is at 20:45 on Saturday, March 28th. So the encounter is several weeks away. Our opponents lie fourth in European Group 5 with six points ... [read more]
New FIFA Rankings: Belgium Stands Still

The new FIFA rankings were released for January 14, 2009. Belgium basically stood still in the table by maintaining its ranking of 54. Fellow World Cup 2010 qualifying nations, Estonia and Armenia were the only nations to move up in the rankings from Europe Group 5.
Rank Country Points
1. Spain ... [read more]
Looking Ahead: 2009 In Belgian Football

The Rode Duivels finished 2008 with a draw in an international friendly against Luxembourg. It was a very disappointing, frustrating, and angering (understatement) result. Prior to that fiasco, Belgium was having a nice journey in the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying. Belgium tied Turkey 1-1 and just lost by one goal against ... [read more]
Vandereycken Releases Squad Against Luxembourg

René Vandereycken released the Rode Duivels line-up against Luxembourg in an upcoming international friendly. The match will be next Wednesday at 20:30 H in Luxembourg. Moussa Dembele will be replaced by Kevin Mirallas due to Moussa’s knee injury. The selection:
Keepers: Stijn Stijnen (Club Bruges), Silvio Proto (Germinal Beerschot), Logan Bailly (Racing Genk)
Defenders: ... [read more]
Moussa Dembélé Still Injured

Belgium international Moussa Dembélé is still injured from Belgium’s World Cup 2010 Qualifying match against Spain. He currently has a knee injury that is keeping him out of club play. AZ Alkmaar’s spokesman said that pictures taken October 16th revealed that luckily his injury is not serious:
“We won’t be deprived of Dembélé ... [read more]
Club Football News
Manfield Town Are The Future
It's going to be impossible to do this without referencing Radiohead's album In Rainbows, which has sort of paved the mainstream way for "pay what you want" retail. From Wiki, for those in the blue: Days after announcing the album's completion, Radiohead released In Rainbows as a digital download that customers ...
Charge Your Cell Phone With a Soccer Ball
I don't know much about green technology, but I know what I like. So when I heard about the sOccket - a soccer ball that stores the energy generated through playing the beautiful game - I wanted to know more. The sOccket is the brainchild of four ladies at Harvard University. ...
Daily Dose: February 8th, 2010.
The Belgian goals of the week. Finding hope in people who touch themselves on the internet. (Sid Lowe) The status of Polkraine 2012. (ESPN) Things you can get for free in Italy. (Calciomercato Offside) The David Beckham Academy's unceremonious end. (Unprofessional Foul) The West Brom Blog - no, this space has not been hijacked - ...
Robinho's Second Santos Debut, and Neymar's Paradinha Penalty
Robinho didn't disappoint on his second Santos debut, coming off the bench to score a Zola-esque near post flick of a winner vs São Paulo. Whatever you might think of the man who rides the Pelécopter, it's good to see such an entertaining footballer looking happy again. But don't worry, there's ...
Soccer and the Super Bowl, or: Football vs Football, or: Why Can't We All Just Get Along?
As I'm sure most of our American readers will know, today is Super Bowl XLIV (or Super Bowl 44, if you don't speak Roman numeral). Super Bowl Sunday is an easy excuse for us soccer fans to indulge ourselves by bashing the "other" football, reminding fans of said sport that ...
The Premier League takes an all-too-familiar turn
One of the nice things about this season in the Premier League has been that there has been a bit of a shift at the top. Partly due to Liverpool having a really bad first half of the season, and partly due to the clubs slightly ...
Rewind: It's All Fun & Games Until Someone Gets Napalmed.
The Champions League final trumped the Super Bowl. The European Golden Shoe is being led by a pretty face. Dog chases cat; man chases dog. Best to forget CAN 2010? Looking for the new Zidane. The mid-air collision heard round the world. Financial prudence is the new hot wourd. ...
Daily Dose: February 5th, 2010 - Some Impossiball Magic From David Villa
Something to read while you watch David Villa score from behind the touchline. Impressive? Yes. Useful in a game situation? Not so much. This is not a great goal. This is a clearance. (101GG) THIS is a great goal, from Neymar (Santos Offside) Adriano gets carte blanche (Dirty Tackle) Not even for £5 (Studs Up) Sensible ...
USER COMMENTS
Looking Ahead: Belgium vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
2:4 welcome to hell in Zenica!!! Bosnia 4ever!!!Looking Ahead: Belgium vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Anybody know how to watch this game online?Looking Ahead: Belgium vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
Bosnia has few key players injured. This game will be very hard for Bosnia to win but I hope we do. ... [Read More]Looking Ahead: Belgium vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
I've paid my dues - Time after time - I've done my sentence But committed no crime - And bad ... [Read More]Looking Ahead: Belgium vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina
You might not believe it but it will be Belgium 0: 4 Bosnia "Ovo je Bosna!" BHF 4 LIFE ... [Read More]

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