Arsenal star's dad turns on Euro 2024 manager after starting XI axe – 'Not a good coach'

Leandro Trossard’s dad believes Belgium manager Domenico Tedesco is ‘not a good coach’ for the national team. The eye-opening comments came before Trossard was dropped for the Red Devils’ second game of Euro 2024, against Romania on Saturday.

Trossard started Belgium’s opener and put in a disappointing performance in a shock 1-0 defeat to Slovakia. Tedesco, who had never previously lost a game with the national team, opted to change things around for the Romania game.

Speaking ahead of Saturday night’s showdown, and seemingly in the knowledge that Trossard was set to be dropped, the Arsenal forward’s dad, Pierre, made his feelings known.

“Leandro is criticised, but he was moved from one position to another, it’s difficult to keep a guideline in your game in these conditions,” he told De Morgen. “I don’t think Tedesco is a good coach for Belgium, even if he doesn’t have the stubbornness of Roberto Martinez.”

Despite the flak, Tedesco’s team selection immediately paid off against Romania as Youri Tielemans gave a much sharper Belgian side the lead within two minutes.

Kevin De Bruyne added a second goal deep into the second half, and the scoreline would have been more emphatic if Romelu Lukaku enjoyed better luck with VAR, having seen yet another goal disallowed for a marginal offside.

Dodi Lukebakio started in Trossard’s place against Romania and it remains to be seen whether Tedesco selects the same team to face Ukraine next time out. Group E is finely poised, with all four sides level on three points apiece going into the final game, which has never happened before at a European Championship.

Trossard has taken his performances up a notch since signing for Arsenal in a £26million deal last January. Following a slow start, the 29-year-old racked up 17 goals in all competitions last term to book his spot in the Belgian international squad.

And he has proven to be a valuable rotation option in an Arsenal team boasting the likes of Kai Havertz, Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta heaped praise on Trossard towards the end of last campaign.

“He’s a great player,” said the Spaniard. “He’s a little magician. He can score on any surface and he’s a big threat; so composed, so cool, he can play in different positions. It’s just a joy to have him in the team.”