PSV icon Mark van Bommel has made an encouraging start to life as Belgium head coach, despite a difficult ending to his second international assignment.

Van Bommel began his tenure with an impressive victory away against Italy before Belgium suffered a dramatic collapse against France last Monday. The Red Devils led 1-0 heading into the final 15 minutes, but France turned the match around to win 4-1 courtesy of a blistering second-half comeback.

Despite that setback, Van Bommel remains highly regarded in Belgium. His impact has also been noticed by the panel at Vandaag Inside, where Johan Derksen questioned why the KNVB did not consider the former PSV midfielder when searching for a new Netherlands head coach.

René van der Gijp highlighted an apparent change in Kevin De Bruyne's attitude towards international football.

“De Bruyne has suddenly taken a liking to these international matches,” Van der Gijp said during Monday evening's broadcast.

Valentijn Driessen then pointed out the difference between Van Bommel and his predecessor, Rudi Garcia.

“He really wants to play under Van Bommel. He didn't do that with the other guy,” Driessen said.

The comments underline the positive impression Van Bommel has made within the Belgium squad, despite the heavy defeat against France.

The situation has led Derksen to revisit the KNVB's decision not to appoint Van Bommel as Netherlands head coach.

“Van Bommel is very popular over there. In hindsight, you wonder: why didn't the KNVB pick him? But then they come up with all sorts of reasons why they don't do it,” Derksen said.

Instead, the KNVB chose former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Xavi Hernandez to take charge of the Netherlands.

Derksen also questioned whether Xavi has had enough time to properly assess the players available to him.

“That Xavi strikes me as a very principled man, actually,” Derksen said. “I don't know who draws up the lineups, but he doesn't even know the players yet...”

Driessen shared Derksen's concerns over the early decisions being made under Xavi.

“He surely isn't going to play Teun Koopmeiners at the back,” Driessen added, as quoted by PSV Inside.

For Van Bommel, the Belgium job has started with contrasting results, but the reaction around the squad suggests his standing remains strong. For the KNVB, meanwhile, the decision to overlook the PSV icon has already prompted renewed debate following his first international matches in charge of Belgium.