16 games in charge<\/a> in 2023. <\/p>\n“We are ambitious and want to win every game,” he said on Friday.<\/p>\n
“I feel this is an environment with a lot of positivity.” <\/p>\n
Garcia said “the signals are positive” Thibaut Courtois, who he called one of Belgium’s “greatest players”, will make a return to the squad. <\/p>\n
Real Madrid’s Courtois, 32, has not played for Belgium since June 2023 following a dispute with Tedesco over the captaincy. <\/p>\n
“We still have good goalkeepers, but Thibaut is the best goalkeeper in the world in my opinion,” he said. <\/p>\n
“It would be good to be able to count on him.” <\/p>\n
Garcia added he will also be travelling to speak to Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku and Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne. <\/p>\n
“They have already experienced a lot, so it can be interesting to discuss and consult with them,” he added. <\/p>\n
Former Belgium midfielder Eden Hazard, who made 126 appearances for the country and scored 33 goals, will be assisting Garcia.<\/p>\n
Hazard, 34, was part of Garcia’s Lille team when the club won the Ligue 1 title and French Cup in the 2010\u201311 season. <\/p>\n
“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.” <\/p>\n
Belgium, who are ranked eighth in the Fifa world rankings, face Ukraine in the Nations League play-offs in March. <\/p>\n
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. <\/p>\n
He left the club by mutual agreement after 10 months in charge. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n
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