While the eight remaining EC participants are preparing for the quarter finals, the Red Devils must look back on a disappointing tournament. And so a thorough evaluation is in order. The national coach will undoubtedly be viewed with a critical eye.
The chance that Domenico Tedesco will also pay for the disappointing EC with his dismissal is quite small. Among other things for financial reasons. In March, he extended his contract until after the 2026 World Cup. Getting rid of him now would cost a pretty penny, while the football association is already not in a good financial position.
Te weinig people-manager
In addition, Tedesco can count on the necessary support within the KBVB. CEO Piet Vandendriessche openly expressed his support for the national coach last week. But the support base appears to be somewhat less than initially estimated. For example, it appears that his shaky track record at the European Championship has caused considerable doubt, certainly regarding his qualities as a ‘people manager’.
That is what the well-known football journalist Jan Hauspie revealed at HUMO. “His position is up for discussion, that much is clear. He should not leave as far as I am concerned, but the echoes I have from the Belgian camp are not exactly reassuring. There are major question marks about his people management in particular. Whether players still trust him, remains to be seen,” he said.
Bro Lukaku
Moreover, Tedesco is still only 38 years old, hardly older than some players in the selection. And in the meantime, a large part of the players already have much more experience at the European top level. All kinds of factors that are not exactly conducive to his authority. Moreover, the national coach apparently has a hard time going against certain players, especially Romelu Lukaku.
The fact that the striker was not substituted at the European Championship despite very mediocre performances can also be explained within that context. “His relationship with Lukaku is the biggest problem. Despite his lousy tournament, Tedesco never dared to substitute him. Players know why: the national coach fears Lukaku’s reaction,” says Hauspie. “Lukaku is by far the strongest figure in the dressing room. If he loses him, he fears that the striker will turn the dressing room against him, and if necessary the entire country. Hence the criticism that I have heard here and there: that Tedesco would have too little personality.”
2024-07-03 19:10:00
#Worrying #Tedesco #afraid #Red #Devil
