According to a report by London Evening Standard on Tuesday November 10, 2026, the Belgian Red Flames women's national team has officially welcomed Lenie Onzia, a former Arsenal player, as their new head coach.

The 37-year-old takes over for Elisabet Gunnarsdottir, who stepped down after Belgium's World Cup qualification failed to materialize.

While the world was on vacation, the Royal Belgian Football Association officially announced Onzia's appointment. She got her start managing Belgium's Under-17 team and has experience working as an assistant coach for the senior national team.

Despite making few appearances for the north London club, Onzia had a successful playing career that included a stint with Arsenal. She was a representative for Gent, Anderlecht, VVV, Twente, and OH Leuven, among other European teams.

The former midfielder has 62 caps for Belgium's national team. Her time spent playing the game and later honing her coaching skills have made her a household name in the country's football hierarchy.

She is considered by the Belgian FA to be an ideal candidate to guide the Red Flames into their next phase due to her familiarity with the national setup.

Simon Mignolet, the technical manager, voiced his confidence in the appointment. He went on to say that Onzia's background as an international player, youth team coach, and senior assistant coach since 2024 gives her a good grasp of the organization.

Additionally, Mignolet cited her experience and advancement opportunities within the national setup as being well-suited to the role. He assured her that the association would be there to back her up if she needed it.

The prospect of her new role also filled Onzia with enthusiasm. She expressed her gratitude for the appointment and her resolve to build the team ambitiously going forward.

Former women's national team manager Irene Fuhrmann and new assistant coach Kevin Bogemans will be her coworkers.

As Onzia takes charge after advancing through the current coaching structure, the appointment signifies continuity for Belgium. Now that she's in charge, the Red Flames can start getting ready for their upcoming international competition.