Senne Lammens officially gets new manager

Manchester United’s preparations for the new season are well underway, but several players are also entering a new chapter away from Old Trafford ahead of the next international break.

One of Carrick’s best players from last season now has a new manager to impress after Belgium confirmed a significant change on the sidelines.

The Belgian Football Association have officially appointed former Netherlands captain Mark van Bommel as the country’s new head coach, as they announced on their website.

The 49-year-old has signed a contract running until the end of Euro 2028 and will officially begin work on 15 August.

For Manchester United goalkeeper Senne Lammens, the appointment could prove particularly significant.

The shot-stopper was part of Belgium’s World Cup squad under former boss Rudi Garcia and made his senior World Cup debut after first-choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was forced off through injury during the knockout stages.

Although Belgium’s campaign ultimately ended in defeat to eventual world champions Spain, Senne Lammens gained valuable experience on football’s biggest stage before returning to Old Trafford.

Now, he will be hoping to establish himself under an entirely new coaching staff.

Van Bommel arrives following Garcia’s departure, which was confirmed after Belgium’s quarter-final exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Despite that disappointment, Garcia had guided Belgium back into League A of the UEFA Nations League while also leading them to the last eight of the World Cup.

Van Bommel, meanwhile, takes over after an impressive spell with Royal Antwerp, where he delivered the Belgian league title, Belgian Cup and Belgian Super Cup during a successful two-year reign.

Speaking after accepting the role, the former Dutch international outlined his ambitions.

“It is a great honour to become head coach of Belgium.

“Belgium has outstanding players and enormous potential. Together with my coaching staff, we want to build a team that is disciplined, ambitious and brave enough to compete with the very best.”

Boudewijn Zenden, Maarten Martens and Reinier Robbemond have all joined his coaching staff ahead of an important opening schedule.

Belgium’s first tests under the new manager will come in the UEFA Nations League, where they face Italy, France and Turkey across September and October.

For Lammens, the international reset follows an outstanding first season with Manchester United.

The goalkeeper’s performances during his debut campaign at Old Trafford earned widespread recognition, culminating in him being named the Premier League’s Transfer of the Season.

With Belgium beginning a new era under Van Bommel, the United goalkeeper will now be aiming to cement his place in the national team just as he has done at club level.