Luc Holtz, Head Coach of Luxembourg’s men’s national football team;
Credit: FLF
On Wednesday 9 July 2025, the Luxembourg Football Federation (FLF) announced that it will not be renewing the contract of men’s national team coach Luc Holtz beyond its current term, which ends on 31 December 2025.
According to the FLF Board of Directors the decision was made “following a thorough analysis of the current sporting situation with national coach.”
In its statement, the FLF also noted that this early announcement is intended to ensure “the necessary calm and transparency” for the coach, players, staff and all involved parties, allowing them to begin preparations for “the important sporting challenges ahead” as part of the FIFA 2026 World Cup qualification campaign starting in September 2025. Іndeed, allowing all concerned to approach this European campaign with peace of mind and full concentration is the FLF's top priority, the federation reported.
56-year-old Luc Holtz has coached Luxembourg's Red Lions for fifteen years, having taken charge of the national team in 2010.
In 2025, Luxembourg played three international friendlies, recording a 1-0 win against Sweden, followed by a 0-1 defeat to Slovenia and a goalless draw with Ireland; the national team currently ranks 92nd in the FIFA World Ranking.
Despite results on the pitch, Holtz came under fire for continuing to call up Gerson Rodrigues to the national team, even after the player was charged with domestic violence in 2023, convicted in 2024 and lost his appeal in April 2025. The decision drew criticism from rights groups and the media, culminating in a red card protest by fans during Luxembourg’s 1-0 home defeat to Slovenia in June 2025.
In June 2025, when asked by Chronicle.lu whether he had considered his future as his contract with the FLF approached its end, Luc Holtz replied: “No, I only concentrate on the national team, and I spend no thoughts on other things. Everything in its time.”
Luxembourg will kick off their FIFA 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign with a home match against Northern Ireland on Thursday 4 September 2025.
