Rudi Garcia is not continuing as Belgium coach after reaching World Cup quarterfinals

BRUSSELS (AP) — Rudi Garcia is not continuing as Belgium coach after failing to reach agreement with the country’s soccer federation on a contract extension.

The Royal Belgian Football Association said Monday that it will not renew Garcia’s deal beyond the end of this month, and that it is looking for a successor to the French coach who led the Belgian team to the World Cup quarterfinals, where it was beaten by eventual champion Spain.

“Garcia has unquestionably played a key role in restoring the Belgian Red Devils,” Belgium sports director Vincent Mannaert said. “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 FIFA World Cup.”

Garcia was appointed Belgium coach in January 2025 as the successor to the fired Domenico Tedesco, who failed to revive the team during a relatively short tenure. Garcia, who coached several big clubs including Napoli, Marseille and Roma in his much traveled career, had never managed a national side.

He touted his achievements in his 18 months as Belgium coach, pointing to the team’s World Cup campaign and improved standing since he took over.

“I wish Belgium every success as they continue the generational transition that I was proud to help initiate,” Garcia said.

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) acknowledges the crowd after their loss in the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia hugs goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois (1) after he was substitued due to an injury during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Marcio J. Sanchez)

Spain's Dani Olmo (10) and Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia greet each other after the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Belgium head coach Rudi Garcia reacts during the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul 21, 2026--

Angeles Equity Partners, LLC (“Angeles”), a private investment firm that partners with niche manufacturing, critical industrial services, and specialty distribution businesses in order to realize their full potential, announced Kyle Huffman has joined the Angeles Operations Group as vice president, finance. Huffman brings 13 years of finance and accounting leadership experience in public and private companies spanning private equity operations, public-company readiness, transaction diligence, and operational finance transformation.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260721941203/en/

Angeles focuses on optimizing the performance of industrial businesses with a consistent approach to operational transformation and strategic repositioning. As a vice president in Angeles' operations group, Huffman will partner with portfolio company leadership teams to help build scalable finance organizations, improve cash generation, support acquisitions, and strengthen financial performance. His unique combination of public accounting, corporate finance leadership, private equity operations, and IPO readiness experience further expands the firm's operational capabilities.

"Kyle brings the finance leadership our portfolio companies need during periods of operational and financial transformation,” said Tim Meyer and Jordan Katz, co-founders and managing partners of Angeles Equity Partners. “He has a proven track record of building high-performing finance organizations that help companies scale and improve performance. His experience leading finance transformations, supporting transactions, and improving operational performance will be valuable to our portfolio leadership teams as they execute their growth strategies."

Before joining Angeles Operations Group, Huffman served as Chief Accounting Officer at Elauwit Connection, where he built the finance organization and reporting infrastructure that supported the company's successful IPO in 2025. Previously, he was a member of the operations team at MiddleGround Capital, partnering with portfolio companies on finance transformation initiatives and acquisition diligence. Earlier, he held senior finance leadership positions with SPAN.IO and The Andersons and began his career in Ernst & Young's Assurance practice. Huffman is a Certified Public Accountant who holds a Master of Accountancy from Case Western Reserve University and a Bachelor of Science in Finance, with a minor in Economics from Taylor University.

"I am excited to join the Angeles platform, working alongside the talented investment and operations team to help our portfolio companies build finance organizations that support better decision-making, allocate capital effectively, and support sustainable growth," Huffman added.

About Angeles Equity Partners, LLC

Angeles Equity Partners, LLC is a Los Angeles-based specialist private investment firm that partners with niche manufacturing, critical industrial services, and specialty distribution businesses in order to realize their full potential. Angeles’ expertise in operational transformation and strategic repositioning drives the firm’s investment philosophy. Learn more online at www.angelesequity.com.

Kyle Huffman, Angeles Operations Group, Vice President, Finance