Former Belgium manager Rudi Garcia has criticized the team medical staff. He claims poor health care hurt their World Cup run. Garcia left his job after the major event ended. The team reached the quarter-finals in North America. Yet, Garcia feels bad health choices limited their success. He shared his thoughts in a fresh interview with a paper in Brussels.
The coach said key injuries and illnesses were handled poorly. He noted that these errors put their whole tournament at risk. Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku suffered severe health issues. Doku spent a night in emergency care during the event. He suffered from fluid on his lungs during the group phase. Garcia had asked for a scan days earlier for the player. The team doctor felt a scan was not needed after giving medicine.
Other top players also suffered injuries during the tournament. Captain Youri Tielemans dealt with fitness problems on the field. Charles De Ketelaere and Zeno Debast also missed key playing time. The Belgian football board has not commented on the statements. Garcia insists he left the job without any bad feelings toward the team.
Belgium started the tournament with two drawn matches. They tied against Egypt and Iraq in early group play. A big 5-1 win over New Zealand helped them win their group. They then beat Senegal and the host United States to reach the quarter-finals. Garcia noted he took the job to work with veteran stars. He wanted to guide Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois, and Romelu Lukaku.
The manager felt his main goals were met during his term. He spent 18 months leading the national squad. He said he brought Belgium back into top world football talk. He would have stayed if offered a new contract by the board. However, he admitted that staying might have been a comfortable choice. He feels content with his work and is ready for a new role.
Belgium moved quickly to replace Garcia after the tournament. Former Dutch midfielder Mark van Bommel was named as the new manager. Van Bommel will now lead the team into future matches. The national team aims to rebuild its medical and training routines under new guidance.
The medical issues raised by Garcia point to clear gaps in care. Speed and quick choices are critical during short tournament runs. When players lack top health, results on the pitch fall short. Doku’s trip to the hospital showed how fast small symptoms can turn severe. Team staff must spot risk early to avoid big health issues during key games.
Managing high player workloads remains a tough task for national squads. Clubs and country teams often battle over player health standards. Clear rules and fast scans can stop minor issues from growing worse. Garcia’s feedback highlights the need for tight teamwork between medical staff and coaches.
Belgium’s run to the quarter-finals showed strong fight despite key missing players. The squad showed grit through tough draws and late wins. Yet, fans wonder how far the team might have gone with full health. A fully fit lineup could have pushed deeper into the knockout rounds.
Now, Mark van Bommel takes charge of a team in shift. He must balance veteran stars with young talent entering the squad. Fixing team health routines will be a key task for his new staff. Belgium looks forward to a fresh start as they prepare for their next match series.
Garcia leaves a mixed record behind after his short period in charge. He brought stability during a major tournament run. However, his final notes reveal clear friction behind the scenes. The lessons from this World Cup will shape how Belgium handles player health in future campaigns.
