Courtois Welcomes Van Bommel's Appointment as Belgium Coach

Belgium's star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has expressed his approval of Mark van Bommel's appointment as the new national team coach. Courtois, who has been contemplating his international future, indicated that his decision to continue playing for Belgium will hinge on a conversation with Van Bommel.

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It wasn't really a surprise because his name had been circulating for quite a while. I think he proved at Antwerp that he's a top coach. A lot of the players speak very positively about him, so I'm looking forward to getting to know him.

"It wasn't really a surprise because his name had been circulating for quite a while," Courtois told reporters at a sponsorship event. "I think he proved at Antwerp that he's a top coach. A lot of the players speak very positively about him, so I'm looking forward to getting to know him."

Van Bommel takes over following Belgium's disappointing quarter-final exit at the World Cup, which led to the departure of Rudi Garcia. Courtois believes Van Bommel's experience as a top-level player will earn him respect from the squad. "That top-level experience is definitely a positive and it naturally earns a lot of respect from the players," Reuters quoted him as saying.

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That top-level experience is definitely a positive and it naturally earns a lot of respect from the players.

Courtois, 34, previously stated he wished to continue with Belgium but might skip the upcoming Nations League campaign to rest. "After the World Cup, I definitely still want to continue, but it will depend on the conversation I have with him," he said. "I'd like to have some rest during the Nations League and we'll have to try to reach an agreement on that."

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After the World Cup, I definitely still want to continue, but it will depend on the conversation I have with him. I'd like to have some rest during the Nations League and we'll have to try to reach an agreement on that.

Reflecting on the World Cup, Courtois addressed his substitution during the match against Spain. He clarified that while he could not perform goal kicks due to injury, he felt capable of continuing in open play. "I just felt that I couldn't take goal kicks anymore. A defender could have taken them instead. During open play, I could still have made sideways passes. But the coach said: 'We agreed that only players who are 100% fit will play.' Fine, no problem."

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I just felt that I couldn't take goal kicks anymore. A defender could have taken them instead. During open play, I could still have made sideways passes. But the coach said: 'We agreed that only players who are 100% fit will play.' Fine, no problem.