Football : Belgium move ahead with Van Bommel as Italy hit Guardiola wall
On one side, a job gets done. On the other, another delay. Belgium unveiled Mark Van Bommel on Friday as Rudi Garcia’s successor, while Italy are still hunting for the coach who will kick off their new project. Pep Guardiola, sounded out in recent days, has turned down the offer put to him by Paolo Maldini and Leonardo.
The two situations could hardly be more different. The Red Devils are wasting no time moving on from their previous boss and can already start planning for the next round of fixtures. Italy, by contrast, have seen their rebuild slow down after the man at the top of their list said no.
Van Bommel returns to a league he knows well
For Belgium, the pick is a coach who knows the domestic game inside out. Before taking charge of the Red Devils, Mark Van Bommel made a real impact at Royal Antwerp, delivering a historic treble with the league title, the cup and the Super Cup in the 2022-2023 season. His contract now runs through Euro 2028.
The former Netherlands international arrives with the aim of starting a fresh cycle. In his first message, he highlighted the quality in the Belgian squad and said he wants to build a team that can make the fans proud of their side again.
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Italy already have to rethink their plan
In Rome, the picture is far less smooth. Free since leaving Manchester City, Pep Guardiola took several days to think it over before telling the Italian hierarchy he did not want to take the job. According to the Italian press, the Spanish coach would rather stand back than dive straight into another long-term rebuild.
That rejection has already forced Paolo Maldini and Leonardo to look elsewhere. After weighing up Carlo Ancelotti and Guardiola, Andrea Pirlo is now being talked about more and more. Belgium can focus on their new coach. Italy, meanwhile, are still searching for the man who will have to get the Nazionale moving again.
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