Trouble in paradise.
Belgium were already struggling to present a united from when they were in Euro 2016. Now that they are out, the shit is hitting the fan.
Thibaut Courtois was the first player asked if he backed current coach Marc Wilmots to stay on, following their second round exit at the hand of Wales.
The Chelsea goalkeeper stated he would continue to give Belgium his best if Wilmots stayed on but told reporters he had been frank with the coach in the post-match changing room debrief.
Belgium captain Eden Hazard has backed Wilmots, saying:
“All 23 players are behind the coach. If we want to tell him anything, it is to stay with us. It’s his decision. If he stays, all the better.”
However, it appears that Belgium’s almost united front is at the strong behest of injured captain Vincent Kompany.
According to Nieuwsblad the Manchester City defender addressed the squad in the changing room after Belgium’s 3-1 defeat to Wales. He instructed the players to air any grievances they had but to then keep their thoughts to themselves, and out of the media.
It was then that Courtois stood and tore into Wilmots for his tactical naivety and lack of decision-making when the team needed it.
There were also concerns expressed that Wilmots had an inner circle of players – Hazard, Kompany and Axel Witsel – but kept much from the rest of his squad. His team announcements were often delayed until three hours before kick-off, with many players taken aback when they learned whether or not they would be starting.
The newspaper notes that the goalkeeper was not interrupted by any teammates or members of the coaching staff.
Several players have been contacted to offer their opinion on who should lead Belgium into the qualifying campaign for the 2018 World Cup. None have publicly come out calling for Wilmots’ head but, as per the report, not everyone shares the same, glowing opinion as Hazard.
