Mark van Bommel was voted trainer of the year in Belgium on Thursday evening. The 46-year-old Dutchman led Antwerp FC to the national title, the national cup and the Belgian Super Cup in 2023.
Van Bommel has been Antwerp’s trainer since the summer of 2022. On the final day of last season, the club won its first national title in 66 years. Toby Alderweireld scored the liberating 2-2 in injury time. The defender’s goal was voted goal of the year.
In April, Antwerp already won the cup by beating Mechelen 0-2 in the final. The Supercup victory followed in July, again at the expense of Mechelen. Antwerp also qualified for the main phase of the Champions League for the first time in August.
Antwerp is doing less well this season. Van Bommel’s team is only sixth, sixteen points behind leader Union Saint-Gilloise. In addition, the club was eliminated in the group stage of the Champions League.
Van Bommel was previously head coach of VfL Wolfsburg and PSV, but the former midfielder did not win any prizes with these clubs. He did become champion as coach of PSV under 19.
Result of the trainer of the year election:
- Mark van Bommel (Antwerp FC): 553 points
- Alexander Blessin (Union): 407
- Karel Geraerts (Union): 314
- Miron Muslic (Cercle Brugge): 203
- Wouter Vrancken (KRC Genk): 199
