Arsenal and Belgium hero Thomas Vermaelen will go to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar as an assistant manager. Roberto Martinez gave him a role after the defender retired in January.
Vermaelen enjoyed a 15-year international career for the Red Devils and amassed 85-caps from 2006 to 2021. He only hung up his boots for Belgium after reaching the quarter-finals of Euro 2020. The curtain then came down on the 36-year-old’s domestic career this year.
The centre-back called time on his playing days after 18 months in Japan with Vissel Kobe. Vermaelen moved to the J-League from Barcelona in 2019, five years after leaving Arsenal in a £15m swoop. He arrived in England from Ajax for £10m in 2009 under Arsene Wenger.
Belgium assistant manager Thomas Vermaelen enjoyed success around the world
Vermaelen tasted success around the world with his efforts in Amsterdam, north London, Barcelona and Kobe. The Kapellen native lifted one Eredivisie title and two Dutch Cups at Ajax. He then helped Wenger end Arsenal’s trophy drought by clinching the 2014 FA Cup.
The defender held the trophy aloft at Wembley as the Gunners’ captain but did not play in the final. Wenger made Vermaelen the Emirates Stadium side’s skipper in 2012 after Robin van Persie joined Manchester United. Mikel Arteta took over the role after Vermaelen left.
A Champions League crown followed for Vermaelen in his debut season at Barcelona, plus La Liga and Copa del Rey honours. He added another three Spanish top-flight titles and the cup twice. Vermaelen would help Vissel Kobe win a first, and only, Emperor’s Cup in 2019.
Thomas Vermaelen enjoyed his most games in an Arsenal jersey between injuries
Vermaelen enjoyed his most outings under Wenger in an Arsenal jersey between 2009 and 2014. The former Gunners skipper featured 150 times across all competitions before going to Catalunya. But a host of injuries limited his chances over his final years in north London.
His career in north London started on dream foundations, though. Vermaelen scored one of his 15 goals for the Gunners on his debut in a 6-1 thrashing of Everton at Goodison Park. Vermaelen only scored more against Wigan Athletic (4) than he did against the Toffees (2).
Wenger was only able to field the defender in five matches across all competitions during the 2010/11 campaign. Vermaelen injured his Achilles tendon whilst representing Belgium in a EURO 2012 qualifier against Turkey in September 2010. He did not return before May.
The problem also meant he missed his side’s 2011 EFL Cup final defeat to Birmingham City. While fitness issues followed Vermaelen to Camp Nou, where he amassed just 53 matches and started 42 in five years. Barcelona also loaned the defender to Roma during 2016/17.
Failing to stay fit at Barcelona meant Vermaelen was able to eclipse his appearance tally at Vissel Kobe with 57. But neither record laid a glove on his Arsenal tally or record with Ajax. The Belgian featured 143 times whilst in Amsterdam after graduating from their academy.
Roberto Martinez made Thomas Vermaelen an assistant Belgium manager
Vermaelen is yet to leave the game, though, as Martinez made the Arsenal hero one of his assistant managers in the Belgium set-up upon retiring in January. The Red Devils boss felt his former defender could replace Shaun Maloney after he joined Scottish side Hibernian.
“His experience during his exceptional career for club and the Red Devils will be a huge asset for our technical staff,” Martinez told the Royal Belgian Football Association (RBFA).
“His knowledge of the group and enthusiasm in coaching shown during the Red Devils’ coaching course, taking in the Belgium FA, will make it a natural transition from Red Devil player to a Red Devil Coach. We are delighted.”
Martinez made the move to hire Vermaelen as an assistant manager with the World Cup in mind. Belgium fly to Qatar and face Canada, Morocco and Croatia in Group F on November 23, 27 and December 1. The Red Devils made the semi-final at the 2018 Russia World Cup.
Thomas Vermaelen helped Belgium finish third in Russia four years ago
Vermaelen helped Belgium finish third in Russia four years ago after beating England in the 2018 World Cup third-place play-off. The centre-half enjoyed 51 minutes against the Three Lions under Martinez in Saint Petersburg. It returned his third appearance of the summer.
Former Red Devils boss Marc Wilmots also fielded Vermaelen once at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. It represented his finals debut before he represented his country at the European Championships in 2016 and 2020. Vermaelen started seven of his nine Euros appearances.
Martinez will now look to lean on Vermaelen’s knowledge in Qatar as Belgium target their first World Cup title. The Red Devils achieved their best result to date with third place four years ago in Russia. Prior to the 2018 edition, their best finish was fourth at Mexico 1986.
The Belgium boss can also lean on Vermaelen’s human qualities as an assistant manager at the World Cup in Qatar. Wenger was quick to acknowledge that aspect following his move to Barcelona. The Frenchman also shared his gratitude for what the defender offered him.
“Thomas is a great player,” Wenger said in 2014, via BBC Radio 5 Live. “His human qualities are exceptional; I’d like to thank him.”
Arsene Wenger admired Thomas Vermaelen’s approach off the pitch
Wenger admired Vermaelen’s approach off the pitch while they were at Emirates Stadium together. The former Gunners coach hailed his defender’s application in 2013 after falling out of the squad. He told Arsenal Player: “He took it [losing his place] in a remarkable way.
“He is a great man and I didn’t make him captain by coincidence. I knew there is something mentally special there. He responds in positive situations and in less positive situations like when you don’t play. They know there could be rotation with the three centre-backs.”
Vermaelen having a ‘special’ mentality could prove extremely beneficial for Belgium as one of Martinez’s assistant managers at the World Cup in Qatar this November and December.
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