Red Lions Coach Luc Holtz Looks Ahead to 2025 with Optimism

The Luxembourg men's national football team concluded the previous year ranked 92nd in the FIFA rankings, after failing to secure a win in their UEFA 2024 Nations League campaign (three draws and three losses).

Looking back, the men's national team is now nine places lower in the global rankings compared to the start of 2024. Despite these setbacks and disappointing results in late 2024, head coach Luc Holtz is embarking on his fifteenth year (in 2025) leading Luxembourg's Red Lions.

55-year-old Luc Holtz’s current contract with the Fédération Luxembourgeoise de Football (FLF) remains valid until 31 December 2025.

Thus, it is Luc Holtz who will lead the men's national football team through the qualification period for the FIFA 2026 World Cup, which is to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada. Among their opponents in the qualifiers, starting in September 2025, are Northern Ireland, Slovakia and the winner of the UEFA 2024 Nations League quarterfinal clash between Germany and Italy.

Chronicle.lu asked Luc Holtz about the team's performances in 2024, the challenges related to the personnel situation in the squad and plans for the current year.

Chronicle.lu: After the great series of results culminating in reaching the EURO2024 play-offs, reflecting on the UEFA Nations League 2024 campaign, would you describe it as one of the most challenging in your tenure as head coach? What were the key takeaways from this experience?

Luc Holtz: It was really a challenging campaign, with a bad end. The key takeaways are that a lot is possible for small teams if we work hard. We hope to learn from this experience and come back stronger.

Chronicle.lu: During the recent home game against Northern Ireland, fans expressed their dissatisfaction audibly. How did you process this reaction, and how do you view your relationship with the supporters moving forward?

Luc Holtz: I knew the Nations League would be tough for us. After losing the play-off game, we were mentally down, and it took some time for us to recover. My relationship with the supporters is good. I am very happy that they support the team home and away, and this is very important for us. I understand that they were angry about some results in the beginning of the Nations League. But we needed time. Everybody was disappointed after the play-off game.

Chronicle.lu: Despite more players now getting regular game time at top clubs across Europe, injuries and squad depth have been recurring challenges for Luxembourg's national team. How do you assess the current squad's potential, and what steps are being taken to address these issues?

Luc Holtz: We are a small country with not so many professional players. If some key players are injured or suspended, we have problems replacing them. That's normal. To be competitive, we need all our professional players.

Chronicle.lu: Seid Korač has shown remarkable performances recently. Would you consider him a new leader within the team, and who else do you think plays a leadership role in the squad today?

Luc Holtz: Yes, absolutely. Seid Korač has made great progress over the last year. He is on the path to becoming a real leader of the team. Other leaders are [midfielders] Leo [Leandro Barreiro] and Kiki [Christopher Martins]. Also, [goalkeeper] Anthony [Moris] and our captain Laurent [Jans].

Chronicle.lu: Looking ahead to 2025, with the next official match scheduled for September in the UEFA Nations League, do you already have agreements with specific teams for the international windows in March and June? How many matches would you like to schedule during these periods?

Luc Holtz: We are currently searching for interesting matches. For March, we play at home against Sweden, and we are close to confirming a second match away, but it's still too early to announce it. We are in negotiations.

Chronicle.lu: What are the primary goals for you as a coach in 2025, and how do you plan to achieve them?

Luc Holtz: Our primary goal is the evolution of the team and the players. If the performances are good, the results will follow. It is a constant development, and we are not at the end of it. We can still progress.

Chronicle.lu: Your contract with the Luxembourg Football Federation extends until the conclusion of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign. Have you started considering what might come next for you, either with the national team or in another capacity?

Luc Holtz: No, I only concentrate on the national team, and I spend no thoughts on other things. Everything in its time.

Chronicle.lu: With fifteen years as head coach, you have seen Luxembourg make significant strides on the international stage. What do you consider the most significant achievement you have accomplished with this team so far?

Luc Holtz: The biggest satisfaction is the evolution the national team has achieved over all these years.

Chronicle.lu: As you look ahead to the World Cup 2026 qualifiers, apart from Northern Ireland and Slovakia, who would you prefer to face as the third opponent - Italy or Germany?

Luc Holtz: Difficult to say. They are both top teams, and it is a highlight for all players to play against such teams.