Wilmots rumour overshadows Belgium-France clash

AFP, PARIS: Belgium’s preparations for Sunday’s friendly against France in Paris have been overshadowed by speculation that Marc Wilmots might be about to leave his position as coach of the Red Devils.
The game is more than a simple end-of-season friendly for the Belgians, who have an important Euro 2016 qualifier to come against Wales in Cardiff next week.
But Wilmots, who took Belgium to the quarter-finals of last year’s World Cup and has them on top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group B, above Wales on goal difference, is a target for his former club Schalke 04.
The German giants are looking for a replacement for the sacked Roberto di Matteo and Wilmots, who won the UEFA Cup with Schalke as a player in 1997, has admitted he could be tempted to return to Gelsenkirchen.
“I have been contacted. I have a clause which allows me to leave at any time. But that does not mean that I will go,” said the 46-year-old recently.
Needless to say his players are hopeful that he will stay where he is.
Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, who is one of 12 British-based players in the Belgium squad for the game at the Stade de France, told Belgian broadcaster RTBF: “For the moment, his departure to Schalke is just a rumour.
“Of course everyone wants him to stay because everyone gets on well with him. He has taken the team to a very good level.
“Whatever he chooses to do, we will respect his decision. There is a difference between coaching a club and a national team. He has to make his own mind up.”
Hazard, the Premier League player of the year, will wear the captain’s armband against France in the absence of Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, who is suspended for the match against Wales.
The other star in the away ranks is Wolfsburg playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, while young Anderlecht midfielders Youri Tielemans (18) and Leander Dendoncker (20) are in the squad too.
The last two meetings of the neighbours have ended in goalless draws, with Belgium last beating France in May 2002, when Wilmots scored in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win against the then world champions.
Given that they currently lie second only to Germany in the FIFA rankings, Belgium might fancy their chances of another win this time around against the Euro 2016 hosts.
Les Bleus, whose defeat to Brazil in March is their only loss in eight games since last year’s World Cup, have this game and then a friendly in Albania next Friday before they can depart on holiday.
For coach Didier Deschamps the match is a chance to assess his squad with a year to go before the European Championship commences on June 10, 2016.

Wilmots rumour overshadows Belgium-France clash

AFP, PARIS: Belgiums preparations for Sundays friendly against France in Paris have been overshadowed by speculation that Marc Wilmots might be about to leave his position as coach of the Red Devils. The game is more than a simple end-of-season friendly for the Belgians, who have an important Euro 2016 qualifier to come against Wales in Cardiff next week. But Wilmots, who took Belgium to the quarter-finals of last years World Cup and has them on top of Euro 2016 qualifying Group B, above Wales on goal difference, is a target for his former club Schalke 04. The German giants are looking for a replacement for the sacked Roberto di Matteo and Wilmots, who won the UEFA Cup with Schalke as a player in 1997, has admitted he could be tempted to return to Gelsenkirchen. I have been contacted. I have a clause which allows me to leave at any time. But that does not mean that I will go, said the 46-year-old recently. Needless to say his players are hopeful that he will stay where he is. Chelseas Eden Hazard, who is one of 12 British-based players in the Belgium squad for the game at the Stade de France, told Belgian broadcaster RTBF: For the moment, his departure to Schalke is just a rumour. Of course everyone wants him to stay because everyone gets on well with him. He has taken the team to a very good level. Whatever he chooses to do, we will respect his decision. There is a difference between coaching a club and a national team. He has to make his own mind up. Hazard, the Premier League player of the year, will wear the captains armband against France in the absence of Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany, who is suspended for the match against Wales. The other star in the away ranks is Wolfsburg playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, while young Anderlecht midfielders Youri Tielemans (18) and Leander Dendoncker (20) are in the squad too. The last two meetings of the neighbours have ended in goalless draws, with Belgium last beating France in May 2002, when Wilmots scored in stoppage time to seal a 2-1 win against the then world champions. Given that they currently lie second only to Germany in the FIFA rankings, Belgium might fancy their chances of another win this time around against the Euro 2016 hosts. Les Bleus, whose defeat to Brazil in March is their only loss in eight games since last years World Cup, have this game and then a friendly in Albania next Friday before they can depart on holiday. For coach Didier Deschamps the match is a chance to assess his squad with a year to go before the European Championship commences on June 10, 2016.