With eight wins from ten games – one of which came in Germany for the first time in 69 years – there is nothing to criticize about results in Domenico Tedesco’s first year as Belgian national team coach. He also managed to see the Red Devils qualify for the European Championship with such dominance that they were seeded in the draw on 2 December and thus enjoyed protected status.

But there’s more. The football association praised its cooperation with playing groups, human resource management, tactical flexibility and communication with the outside world. Since Tedesco also spoke positively about his collaboration with the Belgian Football Association, and in particular with technical director Frank Vercauteren and current interim CEO Manu Leroy, a contract extension was obvious.

Non-binding consultation

Tedesco’s contract will expire after the 2024 European Cup. The national team coach does not necessarily want a contract of more than two years, but it is possible. For Tedesco, the new contract also does not have to be finalized before the European Championships.

There was already a casual conversation between Manu Leroy and Domenico Tedesco who expressed their appreciation for each other. Leroy’s past as a top athlete (hockey) plays an important role in this.

Pro League

With all this data, there is nothing to prevent Tedesco’s contract from being extended, if there is no possibility of a new CEO by the end of the year. This search is in its final stages. Consulting firm Korn Ferry will soon report its findings on the candidates and then the football association’s board of directors will decide who will be the new CEO. Philippe Rosier (general director of Football Flanders), Peter Willems (former OHL) and several others are among the applicants besides Manu Leroy. In the end, there are still two or three candidates left and then the board will decide.

However, this is also a political fact. The Pro League wants to put forward a candidate and it could be Peter Willems (formerly on the board of directors of the Pro League). After all, it’s not just the CEO who will decide whether to extend the contract or not. The board of directors will also have input on a contract of that size. However, for national coach Tedesco, the choice of CEO is very important. He had a lot of contact with him.