Domenico Tedesco — © REUTERS
Domenico Tedesco and the football association want a longer collaboration. However, the national coach must wait for the appointment of the new CEO before concrete discussions can take place.
With eight victories from ten matches – one of which was in Germany for the first time in 69 years – there is nothing to criticize in terms of results in Domenico Tedesco’s first year as Belgian national coach. He also managed to qualify the Red Devils for the European Championship with such an ascendancy that they are the seed at the draw on December 2 and thus enjoy protected status.
But there’s more. The football association praises his cooperation with the playing group, people management, tactical flexibility and communication with the outside world. Because Tedesco has also spoken positively about its collaboration with the Belgian Football Association, and in particular with technical director Frank Vercauteren and current interim CEO Manu Leroy, a contract extension is obvious.
Non-binding consultation
Tedesco’s contract expires after the 2024 European Championship. The national coach does not necessarily want a contract longer than two years, but it is possible. Nor is it a must for Tedesco that the new contract is concluded before the European Championship.
If it depends on Leroy, Tedesco will definitely stay. But will Leroy remain CEO?
There was already a casual conversation between Manu Leroy and Domenico Tedesco in which they expressed their appreciation for each other. Leroy’s past as a top athlete (hockey) plays an important role in this.
Pro League
With all that data, nothing would stand in the way of a contract extension for Tedesco, were it not for the possibility of a new CEO by the end of the year. The search for this is in a final phase. The consultancy company Korn Ferry will soon report its findings on the candidates and then the football association’s board of directors will decide who will be the new CEO. Philippe Rosier (general director of Football Flanders), Peter Willems (ex-OHL) and a few others are among the applicants in addition to Manu Leroy. Ultimately, there are still two or three candidates left and the board of directors will then decide.
However, it is also a political fact. The Pro League wants to put forward its candidate and that could well be Peter Willems (previously on the board of directors of the Pro League). In any case, it is not just the CEO who will decide whether or not to extend the contract. The board of directors will also have input for a contract of that size. However, for national coach Tedesco the choice of CEO is of great importance. He has a lot of contact with it.
