Football Manager fans around the world, rejoice. Your time has now come with the Belgian national side currently on the hunt for their next head coach.
Previous boss Roberto Martinez departed the role after a thoroughly underwhelming World Cup campaign in Qatar in which they failed to get out of their group. The Red Devils are not back in action until at least March so there is no rush to fill the role, but it appears that the Royal Belgian Football Association are already encouraging applications.
A lengthy job advert has been issued in the form of an official statement laying out exactly what Belgium are looking for in their next boss and encouraging any candidates to apply by January 10, 2023.
Here are a few things Mirror Football noticed ahead of a new man being appointed
1. “Disappointing” World Cup understatement
A reason behind Martinez departing was the Red Devils' underwhelming World Cup exit. Their elimination in Qatar is referenced in the job advert, which branded their finish as “disappointing”.
That could certainly be construed as an understatement with a Belgium squad packed with quality potentially producing one of the most uninspiring performances at the tournament. They finished third in a group that included Croatia, surprise packages Morocco and Canada and only managed to score one solitary goal at the tournament.
Disastrous would seem a far more appropriate word as opposed to disappointing.
Who do you think Belgium should appoint as their next head coach? Share your suggestions in the comments section
2. Search on for a “serial winner”
Despite what was arguably a golden generation of Belgian football, the country failed to lift a trophy in that time - their best result being a third-placed finish at the 2018 World Cup. It appears that the RBFA have their eyes firmly fixed on silverware sooner rather than later.
In the statement, they suggest they are on the hunt for a “serial winner” in what is a slight deviation from Martinez. Whilst there is no doubt that the Spaniard is a capable manager, the only honours that he had to his name before accepting the role was a League One title success with Swansea and an FA Cup with Wigan Athletic.
It will be interesting to see what “serial winners” apply for the job, if any.
3. Tight-knit group encouraged
Another of the RBFA’s demands are that any successful candidate is able to create a “close-knit” group of players. Interestingly, this follows a World Cup campaign in which relationships in the squad appeared to sour.
Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne took aim at his own teammates for being “too old”, whilst it has been suggested that Eden Hazard and Jan Vertonghen were involved in a dressing room bust-up during the World Cup.
The new man certainly has a job on his hands if he aims to get everyone back onside.
4. International experience a necessity
Whilst a serial winner is on Belgium’s list of demands ahead of appointing a new head coach, it is interesting that they have also have international experience among their list of crucial features. That is another huge departure from their recent appointments.
Neither Martinez or his predecessor Marc Wilmots had any experience of coaching any international teams before taking the reins. Whilst arguably the pair of them were successes, it is clear Belgium are now aiming for a higher profile and calibre of boss to push the national team onto the next level.
5. Rush on over Christmas
Whilst many people will looking forward to unwrapping their presents and spending time with family, those interested in the role might be pulled away as they scramble to get their job applications together.
The closing date for any applications is in early January, meaning any candidates might be working on their applications over Christmas and New Year.
Interviews should then follow before a new man expected to be in place by at least March.
