Former Belgium coach Rudi Garcia has claimed that medical issues within the team disrupted their World Cup campaign in Canada, Mexico and the United States, despite the side reaching the quarter-finals.

Garcia was not offered a contract extension after the tournament and, in his first interview since leaving the role, criticised the handling of several injuries and illnesses that he believes affected Belgium’s performances.

“We put our World Cup at risk due to certain injuries and illnesses that were not handled correctly,” Garcia told Brussels newspaper Le Soir.

Belgium made an underwhelming start to the tournament, drawing with Egypt and Iraq before recovering with a 5-1 victory over New Zealand in Vancouver. The result saw them finish top of their group on goal difference.

They then had to come from behind to defeat Senegal and reach the last 16, where they produced their strongest performance of the tournament by beating the United States.

However, Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku, who was expected to play a key role, struggled with illness during the competition and eventually spent a night in an emergency room after suffering from fluid on his lungs.

Garcia revealed that he had pushed for Doku to undergo a scan before the issue became more serious.

“A week earlier, at my insistence, we had managed to arrange an appointment for a scan,” Garcia said.

“The doctor didn’t think the scan was necessary because he had given Jeremy antibiotics. Jeremy felt better and ultimately didn’t want to go himself either. But six days later, he spent the night in the emergency room.”

Other injury concerns

Garcia also pointed to injuries suffered by captain Youri Tielemans, Charles De Ketelaere and Zeno Debast during the tournament.

The Belgian football association did not immediately respond to Garcia’s comments.

Despite his criticism, Garcia insisted that he left the national team without resentment and believes he successfully completed the task he was given when he took charge.

“I came for a mission. I took Belgium under my wing because a World Cup was approaching with Kevin De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois and Romelu Lukaku,” he said.

“I thought that those three legends could still carry Belgium and that we could guide them as far as possible together.”

Garcia said he had developed a strong bond with the squad and admitted he would have considered staying had he been offered a new contract.

“I think I would have liked to stay, but that would also have been a choice for comfort on my part,” he added.

“I knew the squad, we had worked together for 18 months, and I had grown attached to the players and the country.”

The former coach also believes Belgium restored their status among the leading nations in world football during his tenure.

“I don’t think it is immodest to say that we have put Belgium back on the map of world football. So my mission has been accomplished,” Garcia said.

“And then it is good to move on to something else. I left without bitterness. Today I am very calm and satisfied with what I have done.”

Belgium moved quickly following the World Cup, appointing former Netherlands international Mark van Bommel as their new head coach.