SOCCER: Belgium will not renew the contract of coach Rudi Garcia

Belgium will not renew the contract of coach Rudi Garcia, the country's football association said on Monday.

Garcia took Belgium to this month's World Cup quarter-finals, where they lost to eventual winners Spain, but his future had been in doubt after a largely unconvincing tournament.

The 62-year-old Frenchman’s deal runs out at the end of the month.

“Rudi Garcia has unquestionably played a key role in restoring the Belgian Red Devils,” said a statement from the association's sports director Vincent Mannaert.

“He was appointed national coach in a challenging sporting and financial context. Thanks in particular to his commitment and experience, team cohesion was restored and a strong result was achieved at the most recent World Cup,” he added.

“On behalf of the federation, I would like to warmly thank Rudi and his assistants for the past 18 months.

“Together with my team, I am currently preparing for a new cycle, including the appointment of a new national coach.”

-Writing by Mark Gleeson in Cape Town; Editing by Clare Fallon/Reuters