Romelu Lukaku reveals Belgium squad pushed for Thierry Henry as Martinez successor

Romelu Lukaku has disclosed that senior members of the Belgium national team strongly backed Thierry Henry to take over as head coach following Roberto Martinez’s departure.

The Napoli striker revealed that the idea was widely discussed within the squad after their World Cup exit in Qatar, with players believing the former Arsenal forward had the profile to reset the team’s direction.

According to Lukaku, the preference for Henry was rooted in trust and accountability, with players feeling the squad needed a stricter environment after years under Martinez.

The internal sentiment, however, did not translate into the final appointment, as Domenico Tedesco was eventually named head coach.

“We were spoken to in Qatar, after the draw against Croatia (which knocked Belgium out of the group stage). Everyone was saying: ‘Henry is the one we need.’ He was going to hold us accountable for our mistakes. When you aim for the top, you don’t want people constantly stroking your ego,” he told La Dernière Heure.

Tactical concerns under Tedesco

Despite the change in leadership, Lukaku suggested that the squad never fully aligned with the tactical direction introduced under Tedesco. He implied that players quickly sensed a mismatch between the coach’s approach and the team’s strengths, raising doubts about its long-term effectiveness.

The striker was particularly direct in his assessment of the system, indicating that experienced players anticipated difficulties from the outset. He also pointed to the influence of senior figures such as Kevin De Bruyne in recognising early signs of tactical imbalance.

“There was a tactical plan that just wasn’t going to work. As a player, you feel that. Ask Kev (De Bruyne). You tell yourself: this isn’t going to work out.”

Lukaku’s comments highlight a broader disconnect between on-field leaders and the coaching structure, suggesting that concerns were shared but not formally escalated.

Silence, frustration and missed alignment

The Belgium forward also opened up about the atmosphere within the squad, claiming that younger players were aware of the issues but reluctant to speak out. He suggested that fear of losing their place in the team contributed to a culture of silence, even when tactical reservations were widely felt.

“Many of the young players in our core squad knew it too. But they didn’t say anything, out of fear of being dropped to the bench. That caused a lot of frustration.”

His remarks point to an underlying tension during Belgium’s transition period, where expectations of a generational shift were complicated by uncertainty over authority and communication. Lukaku’s account paints a picture of a team struggling to find cohesion after a golden generation failed to deliver major tournament success, with managerial choices and tactical identity emerging as central points of contention.