Belgium 'have Low, Pochettino and Villas-Boas on managerial shortlist'

Belgium ‘have Joachim Low, Mauricio Pochettino and Andre Villas-Boas on their managerial shortlist’ after Thierry Henry distanced himself from replacing Roberto Martinez following dismal Qatar World Cup showing

  • The Belgian FA are reportedly targeting some big names for their new coach
  • The team is in a transitional phase after a poor showing at the World Cup
  • Thierry Henry denies claims he contacted Belgian FA over vacant manager role

Belgium have shortlisted Joachim Low, Mauricio Pochettino and Andre Villas-Boas for their managerial vacancy after the departure of Roberto Martinez, according to a new report.

Martinez left the federation after six years and a disappointing showing at the World Cup in Qatar, as the team scored just once and didn’t make it out of the group stage. He was named Portugal’s manager earlier this month.

Now, according to Belgian outlet Nieuwsblad, the football association will be meeting Thursday and Friday to discuss who’ll succeed the former Everton coach, with some big names in the sights of the federation.

Joachim Low is reportedly a candidate to become the next head coach of Belgium

Low is the only one of the three names mentioned with international managerial experience, and spent 15 years as Germany’s head coach, leading them to win the 2014 World Cup before eventually departing seven years later.

Pochettino and Andre Villas-Boas both have Premier League experience, though the latter’s stock would appear lower at the moment.

Villas-Boas has managed Zenit Saint Petersburg, Shanghai Port (previously Shanghai SIPG) and Marseille since short-lived stints at Spurs and Chelsea.

Mauricio Pochettino’s last coaching job was at PSG, and he’s been out of work since last year

Andre Villas-Boas’ stock has fallen since he coached Chelsea and Spurs in the Premier League

Pochettino did well at Tottenham to re-fashion the team into top four contenders and  a Champions League finalist, but has been out of work since being sacked by PSG last year.

The report of Belgium’s interest in Low, Pochettino and Villas-Boas comes after Thierry Henry denied claims that he contacted the Belgian FA over their vacant managerial role.

The ex-Arsenal striker spent two stints as an assistant for the national side, including the last two World Cups, but distanced himself from reports that he put himself forward for the job.  

Henry formed a close relationship with the players as Belgium’s assistant coach

‘I would like to make it abundantly clear that contrary to written reports, I have never contacted the Belgian FA offering my services as the new first team coach,’ he told Sky Sports.

‘I think it’s vital that the truthful version of facts is always presented.’

Claude Puel, Herve Renard and Andrea Pirlo have also been linked to the job, though Nieuwsblad said those candidates are ‘no longer there for the time being.’

Additionally, the Belgian federation’s technical director role is also vacant, and the report named former Anderlecht and Sporting Lisbon manager Frank Vercauteren as a strong candidate for that role.

He also served as the caretaker manager for Belgium’s national side in 2009.




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