Belgium sacks Marc Wilmots after last eight exit at EURO

Wilmots led the side to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup, where it lost 1-0 to Argentina, and then to this summer’s EURO after an impressive qualifying campaign in which it topped Group B, winning seven of its 10 fixtures.

Published : Jul 15, 2016 19:29 IST

Marc Wilmots became Belgium head coach in 2012.
Marc Wilmots became Belgium head coach in 2012.
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Marc Wilmots became Belgium head coach in 2012.

Marc Wilmots has been sacked as the head coach of Belgium after the team's quarterfinal exit at EURO 2016.

“The Royal Belgian Football Association have made an agreement with Marc Wilmots to end his contract, that lasted until 2018,” read an official statement on the Belgian FA’s website.

“With Marc Wilmots as a head coach, the Red Devils have climbed from the 54th position to the top of the Fifa world ranking. He managed to win 34 games out of 51, including eight draws. Above all, the fans have reinstalled their love for the Belgian Red Devils during this period."

Wilmots, who won 70 caps as a player, became Belgium head coach in 2012 having previously been assistant to Dick Advocaat and later Georges Leekens. He led the side to the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Cup, where it lost 1-0 to Argentina, and then to this summer’s European Championship after an impressive qualifying campaign in which it topped Group B, winning seven of its 10 fixtures.

Belgium went into Euro 2016 as a favourite for the title. The squad was made up of the country’s so-called “golden generation”, containing the likes of Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Eden Hazard and Romelu Lukaku. However, the team was far from impressive and was ultimately well beaten by Chris Coleman’s Wales side in Lille.

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