Garcia succeeds Tedesco, who faced criticism for the team's disappointing performance at the last Euro, where Belgium was eliminated in the Round of 16 by France.

Garcia initially gained recognition for his coaching success at Lille from 2008 to 2013, where he won the French league title and developed future star Eden Hazard.

Expressing enthusiasm for his new role, Garcia stated he hopes to unite the country behind the team through successful results.

Garcia has signed a contract that will last until the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with his first match scheduled against Ukraine in March 2025.

Interestingly, this is not Garcia's first attempt at the role; he had applied for the position of Belgium's coach ten years ago.

At 60 years old, Garcia brings a wealth of experience, having managed notable clubs including Napoli, Lyon, Roma, and Marseille, and he was without a club since leaving Napoli in November 2023.

Belgium's urgent need for improvement is underscored by their upcoming relegation play-off against Ukraine, which will be Garcia's first match as head coach.

Tedesco's dismissal came after a series of sub-par performances, and he had only been in charge since February 2023.

Garcia's appointment marks a historic moment as he becomes the first Frenchman to lead the Belgian national team, known as the Diables Rouges.

Belgium will kick off their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign in June 2025, starting with a match against North Macedonia.

Despite some skepticism among fans regarding his appointment, Garcia aims to overcome this challenge under the guidance of Vincent Mannaert, the new head of the Belgian football federation.

Belgium's football federation announced Rudi Garcia as the new national team coach on January 24, 2025, following the dismissal of Domenico Tedesco.