Rudi Garcia says he is very motivated to get Belgium’s results “back on the rise” after being named as the side’s head coach.

The 60-year-old Frenchman has replaced Italian Domenico Tedesco, who was sacked last week after less than two years in the post.

Garcia’s last job was at Serie A side Napoli, but he was dismissed after just 16 games in charge in 2023.

“We are ambitious and want to win every game,” he said on Friday.

“I feel this is an environment with a lot of positivity.”

Garcia said “the signals are positive” Thibaut Courtois, who he called one of Belgium’s “greatest players”, will make a return to the squad.

Real Madrid’s Courtois, 32, has not played for Belgium since June 2023 following a dispute with Tedesco over the captaincy.

“We still have good goalkeepers, but Thibaut is the best goalkeeper in the world in my opinion,” he said.

“It would be good to be able to count on him.”

Garcia added he will also be travelling to speak to Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku and Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne.

“They have already experienced a lot, so it can be interesting to discuss and consult with them,” he added.

Former Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard, who made 126 appearances for the country and scored 33 goals, will be assisting Garcia.

Hazard, 34, was part of Garcia’s Lille team when the club won the Ligue 1 title and French Cup in the 2010–11 season.

“I talk to Eden a lot,” he said. “He will also be a part of the adventure to the [2026] World Cup. He will help us a little.”

Belgium, who are ranked eighth in the Fifa world rankings, face Ukraine in the Nations League play-offs in March.

Before taking the Napoli job, Garcia – who has also managed Lille, Marseille and Lyon and had a three-year spell at Roma – took charge of Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League in 2022.

He left the club by mutual agreement after 10 months in charge.