On the evening of January 21, Beijing time, the Belgian Football Association officially announced the retirement of 36-year-old defender Vermalen, who will enter the coaching staff of the national team and become roberto Martinez's assistant.
The Belgian Football Association said on its official website that Thomas Vermalen announced his retirement and that he would become one of Roberto Martinez's assistants. Late last year, national team coach Maloney joined Scotland's Hibernian, and Thomas Vermalen will fill the void.
Vermalen played 85 games for the national team over a period of 15 years. In 2006, Vermalen made his national team debut in a 2-0 warm-up match against Luxembourg. His last game for the European Red Devils was in the quarter-finals of Euro 2020 against Italy.
Belgian national team coach Martinez said: "Vermalen's career in club and national team is extraordinary, and his experience will be a great asset to our coaching staff. His role and performance in the national team during the European Championships will easily help him adjust to his new job. His knowledge of the team and the passion he has shown in the coaching sessions will allow him to transform naturally from a Red Devils player to a Red Devils coach. We are very happy.
Vermalen is also very much looking forward to this change of responsibility: I am very much looking forward to this challenge, I am honored, happy and grateful to Roberto Martinez for letting me become his assistant and help the team prepare for the World Cup in Qatar.
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