Belgium names Garcia new nat'l football coach

BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 24 (AFP): Belgium's football federation on Friday announced Frenchman Rudi Garcia as the new national team coach, after the sacking of Domenico Tedesco.

The federation said they would formally introduce the 60-year-old former Napoli, Lyon and Roma boss to the press at an event later in the day.

Garcia, who has also managed Saudi outfit Al Nassr and French giants Marseille, will be handed the task of reinvigorating the Red Devils after a disappointing Euro 2024 campaign.

Belgium last week sacked Italian-German coach Tedesco following an early exit from the continental championship this summer, and sub-par recent performances in the Nations League. Belgium face a relegation play-off against Ukraine in March. Garcia's latest effort in management at Napoli was an unsuccessful five-month stint in 2023 during the club's disastrous post-Scudetto winning season.