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Rudi Garcia blames Belgium medical staff for World Cup issues
Former Belgium national team coach Rudi Garcia has criticized the team's medical staff, claiming their mismanagement of injuries and illnesses compromised the squad's performance during the 2026 World Cup.
Garcia highlighted several specific cases, most notably winger Jeremy Doku. He stated that despite his insistence on a scan for Doku's respiratory infection, medical staff declined, opting for antibiotics instead. Consequently, Doku ended up in the emergency room with fluid on his lungs six days later.
The former manager also cited issues with Youri Tielemans, who was unable to play in the quarter-final against Spain due to adducter issues, and Zeno Debast, who reportedly suffered a new injury during a poorly managed rehabilitation process. Garcia noted that improved medical conditions were a prerequisite for him to continue in his role, which ultimately ended after the tournament.
Regarding his departure, Garcia addressed the decision to replace him with Mark van Bommel, stating he had left the position with respect and that the decision to end his contract was personal rather than a board-level mandate. He also defended his decision to substitute goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois during the quarter-final, asserting that the player was physically unable to continue.
Entities
Belgium national football team · Jérémy Doku · Manchester United · Rudi Garcia · Senne Lammens · Thibaut Courtois · Youri Tielemans · Zeno Debast
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Garcia defended his decision to substitute Courtois with Senne Lammens, noting Lammens was the Manchester United goalkeeper. www.voetbalprimeur.be
- [● 3 SOURCES] Rudi Garcia claims Thibaut Courtois was physically unable to continue during the World Cup quarter-final against Spain. www.voetbalnieuws.be · www.voetbalprimeur.be
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Garcia claims Zeno Debast suffered a new injury due to poor management of his rehabilitation. www.voetbalnieuws.be
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Garcia blames the Belgian medical staff for mishandling injuries to Jérémy Doku, Youri Tielemans, and Zeno Debast. www.voetbalnieuws.be
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Garcia asserts that Courtois personally requested medical attention and stated he could not continue playing. www.voetbalprimeur.be