04/08/2025 – 11:26 a.m.Reading time: 2 min.
Mark van Bommel is one of the icons of FC Bayern and still regularly comments on his ex-club. But how did the Dutch continue afterwards?
Mark van Bommel ran for FC Bayern (2006 to 2011) for five years. He also experienced the bitter 0-2 defeat in the Champions League final against Inter Milan. He was denied to win this title after his ex-club FC Barcelona with the Munich. The former midfielder made games in the dress of the German record champion in 187 and is still enthusiastic about football.
Most recently he was there at the Beckenbauer Cup and delighted the audience together with other ex-stars such as Franck Ribéry and Arjen Robben. Van Bommel continued his passion as a coach after his active time.
After several stations as a co- and head coach, including a much attention, albeit a short intermezzo at VfL Wolfsburg (July to October 2021), van Bommel finally found the perfect stage in Belgium for his game philosophy: Royal Antwerp. There he wrote football history – not only for the club, but also for himself.
When Mark van Bommel took over the position, the Belgian traditional club was ambitious, but had remained without a big title for decades. The last championship title was 66 years ago – an eternity for a club with so much history. Van Bommel brought a breath of fresh air, discipline and a clear tactical plan. The expectations were great, but what followed exceeded all forecasts.
In his first season 2022/23, van Bommel managed to lead the historic feat, Royal Antwerp to the double of the cup and championship victory. Just a season later the next success: winning the super cup with the club. And then? Despite the sporting flights of height, the surprising separation occurred in the summer of 2024.
Van Bommel said at his last press conference: “I sit here with a very proud feeling. You only see the games, but when you see what happens on the training ground, how we deal with each other every day … I will miss it so proud.” He added to his future: “At the moment I am free and we will see how to proceed.”
Since then, the 47-year-old has not taken over a new position. Most recently, he was associated with the Dutch association NEC Nijmegen. The newspaper “Voetbal International” (VI) reported that the club would like to sign the former Bayern star, but van Bommel had also decided on other offers and did not want to decide yet, so he had canceled the club. It is quite possible, however, that the ex-midfield strategist will soon be seen again on the coaching bench.