" BELGIUM ROCKED BY SPECULATION OVER THE FUTURE OF "
Sun May 31, 2015 12:11 pm
Wales' Euro 2016 rivals Belgium rocked by speculation over the future of manager Marc Wilmots weeks ahead of crunch Cardiff clash
BY CHRIS WATHAN
Marc Wilmots is refusing to deny reports he's set to quit the Red Devils after the game in the Welsh capital
Wales’ Euro 2016 rivals Belgium have been rocked by speculation over manager Marc Wilmots’ future less than two weeks before the huge showdown between Gareth Bale and Eden Harzard in Cardiff.
Resurgent Wales and group favourites Belgium go head-to-head at Cardiff City Stadium on June 12 as both nations fight to take a giant step towards next summer’s European Championship finals in France.
But the Belgian’s preparations for the key qualifying fixture have been deal a huge blow after the man who steered Chelsea ace Hazard and fellow stars Vincent Kompany, Thiabut Courtois and Marouane Fellaini to third place in the Fifa rankings refused to deny he will quit his post after the game.
Boss Wilmots – who guided the Red Devils to their first World Cup appearance in 12 years when they made it to the quarter-finals in Brazil – has been targeted by German outfit Shalke to replace Roberto di Matteo who quit at the end of the Bundesliga season.
Wilmots, 46, has insisted he will remain in charge for the game against Chris Coleman’s men, but has delivered a huge hint he will walk out of the Belgium hot-seat following the final whistle.
Belgium FA officials have already been forced to step up plans to find a successor while the build-up in Belgium has seen the subject dominate the headlines ahead of a crucial game.
Former midfielder Wilmots revealed he has a clause in his contract that would allow him to join Shalke with minimal fuss, and he said: “Schalke have contacted me but I now prefer the national team. I have informed the club that I concentrate on my next two games. What happens after that, we’ll see.
“I want to focus on the upcoming matches because the national team needs it. It’s possible I could go but I can also continue until 2018. We will see after the game what happens.”
Belgium FA top-brass admitted they are in the dark ahead of a warm-up friendly with France next weekend before the Friday evening showdown in Cardiff between the two teams tied at the top of Group B.
And Wilmots’ assistant has admitted he too could leave, but claimed the side will not lose focus despite the unrelenting speculation.
Vital Borkelmans, who was told to speak to the media instead of under-scrutiny Wilmots, said: “I work well with him in the past three years - we have built a perfect relationship. We will see whether I go if he goes because I also have a clause and you never know what will happen."
He added: “There is a lot being written and said about it but I am not thinking about it and everyone is focused on the game against Wales. We absolutely want to bring to a successful conclusion.
“I know the boys are always very motivated to play for us, even in the final games of the season, and the group is mature enough to deal with it.”
BY CHRIS WATHAN
Marc Wilmots is refusing to deny reports he's set to quit the Red Devils after the game in the Welsh capital
Wales’ Euro 2016 rivals Belgium have been rocked by speculation over manager Marc Wilmots’ future less than two weeks before the huge showdown between Gareth Bale and Eden Harzard in Cardiff.
Resurgent Wales and group favourites Belgium go head-to-head at Cardiff City Stadium on June 12 as both nations fight to take a giant step towards next summer’s European Championship finals in France.
But the Belgian’s preparations for the key qualifying fixture have been deal a huge blow after the man who steered Chelsea ace Hazard and fellow stars Vincent Kompany, Thiabut Courtois and Marouane Fellaini to third place in the Fifa rankings refused to deny he will quit his post after the game.
Boss Wilmots – who guided the Red Devils to their first World Cup appearance in 12 years when they made it to the quarter-finals in Brazil – has been targeted by German outfit Shalke to replace Roberto di Matteo who quit at the end of the Bundesliga season.
Wilmots, 46, has insisted he will remain in charge for the game against Chris Coleman’s men, but has delivered a huge hint he will walk out of the Belgium hot-seat following the final whistle.
Belgium FA officials have already been forced to step up plans to find a successor while the build-up in Belgium has seen the subject dominate the headlines ahead of a crucial game.
Former midfielder Wilmots revealed he has a clause in his contract that would allow him to join Shalke with minimal fuss, and he said: “Schalke have contacted me but I now prefer the national team. I have informed the club that I concentrate on my next two games. What happens after that, we’ll see.
“I want to focus on the upcoming matches because the national team needs it. It’s possible I could go but I can also continue until 2018. We will see after the game what happens.”
Belgium FA top-brass admitted they are in the dark ahead of a warm-up friendly with France next weekend before the Friday evening showdown in Cardiff between the two teams tied at the top of Group B.
And Wilmots’ assistant has admitted he too could leave, but claimed the side will not lose focus despite the unrelenting speculation.
Vital Borkelmans, who was told to speak to the media instead of under-scrutiny Wilmots, said: “I work well with him in the past three years - we have built a perfect relationship. We will see whether I go if he goes because I also have a clause and you never know what will happen."
He added: “There is a lot being written and said about it but I am not thinking about it and everyone is focused on the game against Wales. We absolutely want to bring to a successful conclusion.
“I know the boys are always very motivated to play for us, even in the final games of the season, and the group is mature enough to deal with it.”
Re: " BELGIUM ROCKED BY SPECULATION OVER THE FUTURE OF "
Sun May 31, 2015 12:41 pm
This can only be good news unless they decide to really play for their manger. 
Re: " BELGIUM ROCKED BY SPECULATION OVER THE FUTURE OF "
Sun May 31, 2015 4:55 pm
I've got butterflies thinking about this game already. If we get anything from this game, then I honestly can't see us failing to qualify. Win, draw, and I reckon we are nailed on for France. IMO this is one of the biggest welsh fixtures in the history of welsh sport....EVER.
Re: " BELGIUM ROCKED BY SPECULATION OVER THE FUTURE OF "
Sun May 31, 2015 9:51 pm
mr'mogreenz wrote:I've got butterflies thinking about this game already. If we get anything from this game, then I honestly can't see us failing to qualify. Win, draw, and I reckon we are nailed on for France. IMO this is one of the biggest welsh fixtures in the history of welsh sport....EVER.
I don't think a draw will do us much good.
It won't do us any harm but a win will make us all take off.