Inside Mark van Bommel’s Belgium setup as De Bruyne and Tielemans help build ‘one big family’

Belgium manager Mark van Bommel is trying to create “one big family” within the national team while using experienced figures including Kevin De Bruyne, Youri Tielemans and Romelu Lukaku to help younger players settle into the squad.

That assessment comes from Parma midfielder Mandela Keita, who knows Van Bommel particularly well after previously working with him at Royal Antwerp.

Keita believes the Dutch coach has brought the same qualities to Belgium that he demonstrated at club level: tactical clarity, organisation and a willingness to make decisive changes when necessary.

“He is exactly the same as he was back then,” Keita told Nieuwsblad. “Mark was a really great player; he has a perfect feel for what the group needs.”

“He offers the team stability and organisation. His ideas are very clear. And besides that, he tries to make it one big family.”

Van Bommel’s approach is not simply about tactical structure.

According to Keita, Belgium’s senior players are helping create an environment in which younger members of the squad feel comfortable approaching established internationals for advice.

He specifically identified De Bruyne, Tielemans and Lukaku as important figures.

“Kevin, Youri, and Romelu: they are very approachable,” Keita said. “The youngsters can always turn to them; we can learn from them.”

That leadership could prove important as Van Bommel attempts to establish his methods and build connections throughout the squad.

Keita also highlighted the manager’s willingness to intervene tactically rather than simply sticking with his original plan.

“The coach is tactically very strong and he dares to intervene,” the midfielder explained.

However, the comments do not provide detailed information about Van Bommel’s specific formation, pressing structure, build-up patterns or positional instructions.

Therefore, Keita’s assessment supports describing Van Bommel as tactically decisive and clear in communicating his ideas, but it does not establish a specific tactical system being used by Belgium.

Communication inside the squad does not appear to be a major concern either.

“He can communicate with everyone,” Keita said. “Almost everyone understands Dutch, and if not, there is always English.”

Belgium now continue their preparations for the meeting with Turkey at Sclessin, where Van Bommel will have another opportunity to develop the combination of tactical organisation and squad unity Keita has described.

Belgium’s upcoming match against Turkey provides the next test of Van Bommel’s developing setup.

Keita’s comments suggest the manager is concentrating on two areas simultaneously: establishing clear tactical expectations and creating stronger relationships throughout the squad.

The influence of experienced internationals such as De Bruyne, Tielemans and Lukaku appears to be an important part of that process.

What remains less clear is exactly how Van Bommel intends Belgium to operate tactically over the longer term. Keita praises his tactical ability and decisiveness, but does not provide enough detail to define a formation or playing model.

Further matches should provide considerably more evidence of how Van Bommel intends to translate that organisation and togetherness onto the pitch.