Belgium sack manager Domenico Tedesco after Thibaut Courtois row
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The coach had come under pressure after a series of poor performances and results. Domenico Tedesco has left his role as Belgium head coach just 10 months after extending his contract. The 39-year-old, appointed in 2023, and his staff had renewed terms through to the 2026 World Cup last March.
But Tedesco has since overseen a disappointing Round of 16 exit from Euro 2024, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois declared in August that he would be unavailable for the national team while the manager remained in charge. Kevin De Bruyne also asked for time away from the Belgium set-up in October citing fatigue and a hectic club schedule, though had criticised his teammates and Tedesco after a Nations League loss to France in September.
That was part of a run of just two wins in Tedesco’s last ten games in charge, and Belgium will now hunt for a successor as the remaining members of a so-called golden generation perhaps eye one last tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026.
"Domenico made an excellent start as national coach and proved that there are still great things possible, even after the send-off of the previous generation,” Peter Willems, CEO of the Belgian FA, said. “He has integrated a number of young players into the team, and his successor can build on this. We would like to thank him and his team for the pleasant cooperation, their hard work and dedication, and wish them all the best for the future.".
