Mark van Bommel has strengthened his Belgium national team staff with several former Antwerp employees. The move significantly deepens the link between the club and the national side.
Brian Vandenbussche left Antwerp after last season and is now the goalkeeper coach under Van Bommel. The former Red Devil, who earned three caps for Heerenveen and once played an international match with Romelu Lukaku, worked with Jean Butez, Senne Lammens and Taishi Nozawa at the Bosuilstadion. He previously was a youth coach at Club Brugge.
Performance analyst Alex Abresch, who previously worked for Antwerp, Wolfsburg and PSV, has also made the switch to the national team. He strengthens Van Bommel's analytical staff.
The head coach has further surrounded himself with trusted faces. Maarten Martens, who coached AZ Alkmaar together with Van Bommel until January this year, is an assistant. The former AZ player lost the KNVB Cup final with that club to Go Ahead Eagles and was previously considered for the job at Anderlecht.
Reinier Robbemond, who already assisted Van Bommel at PSV in 2018, is another assistant. The former winger with nearly 300 Eredivisie appearances was head coach of Willem II for about six months three years ago. His son Rio (21) plays for AZ under 21s and trained under Martens last season.
Boudewijn Zenden, a 54-cap Netherlands international, is the most high-profile assistant. He and Van Bommel played 24 international matches together for the Netherlands since 2001. "I worked intensively there with guys like Steven Bergwijn, Donyell Malen, Noni Madueke and Cody Gakpo," Zenden said about his time at PSV. Both are from the Maastricht region.
The medical staff also has a strong Club Brugge connection. New physiotherapist David Bombeke was head physio at blue-black and previously worked in cycling for Lotto and BMC, where he treated Tour de France winner Cadel Evans. He runs a practice in Beveren-Waas, Antwerp and Knokke. Roméo Lavia has rehabilitated with him in recent years.
Team doctor Thomas Tampere worked for over six years at Club Brugge and specialises in knee surgery and sports injuries. He is affiliated with UZ Gent and AZ Delta Roeselare.
The arrival of these staff members provides Antwerp with a direct line to the national squad, which could benefit players in the future. The club currently sits 13th in the Jupiler Pro League with seven points from seven games. The next match is on 10 October away to KVC Westerlo, who are eighth. The last five league results were loss, loss, loss, loss and draw.
Van Bommel himself emphasised the quality of his team. About Robbemond he said: "I took the professional football course with Reinier and I found him to be the very best in it." The staff changes are now in place as the Red Devils prepare for the next international window.
The original report is at HLN Voetbal
