Former national team coach opens up on rift with Real Madrid ace – ‘I’m at peace’ | OneFootball

Earlier in the year, Thibaut Courtois made his much-awaited return to the Belgium national team by appearing in a UEFA Nations League game against Ukraine.

Courtois’ return to the Belgium fold coincided with the departure of Domenico Tedesco earlier in the year. The Real Madrid superstar, after all, had a big fallout with the former Belgium coach in 2023.

The rift began due to Tedesco undermining Courtois’ authority in the team, though the goalkeeper later confirmed that the captaincy issue was not the sole reason behind their fallout.

Neverthelees, following this incident, Courtois decided not to play for the Belgian national team for well over a year and a half, before Tedesco eventually left.

Tedesco opens up about Courtois spat

However, in a recent interview with Sport BILD (h/t Mundo Deportivo), Tedesco opened up about his rift with Courtois, suggesting that he has found closure on the matter.

Courtois’ rift with Tedesco forced him to stop playing for Belgium. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

“I read things and held a press conference after the confirmation of Courtois’ departure from the Red Devils. I needed to clear things up. What was written didn’t correspond to reality,” he said.

“Of course I reflected on it afterward. Did I say the right thing? Did I handle the situation well? How did the team perceive it? But there comes a time when it becomes a constant back-and-forth. I don’t want that,” he added.

Finally, Tedesco revealed that he is at peace with himself about the incident and has no regrets over the matter.

“In hindsight, I’m at peace with this matter. I’m completely at peace with myself. For me, this matter is definitively closed,” he concluded.

After being relieved of his duties as Belgium coach, Tedesco is currently a free agent, having failed to find his next club.