The Lionesses manager has penned a new deal with England Women that will see her lead the side through to the 2027 Women’s World Cup – but just who is Sarina Wiegman?
Awarded the best women’s coach at FIFA’s Best awards this week, Wiegman has enjoyed huge success with England. After taking over in 2021, she led the Lionesses to glory in Euro 2022 and has just signed another long-term contract.
But for those who don’t know much about England’s most successful coach in a generation, we’ve done our research and found out everything you need to know about Sarina Wiegman.
Here to stay 🏴✍️
Sarina Wiegman signs a new contract with the Lionesses until 2027 🤝 pic.twitter.com/zmrbZLioco
— UEFA Women's Nations League (@WEURO) January 16, 2024
Who Is Sarina Wiegman?
Sarina Wiegman is a Dutch football manager and former player, who took charge of England’s women in September 2021.
The 54-year-old is the most successful manager in Lionesses history. After guiding them to a historic European crown in 2022, Wiegman’s team were agonisingly close to winning a World Cup.
They lost narrowly in the final to Spain last summer, where it finished 1-0 in Australia.
In her playing days, Weigman was a midfielder and central defender, attending university in the United States from 1989. When she returned to the Netherlands upon graduating, she played for Ter Leede alongside working as a PE teacher.
She won the Dutch Championship and the KNVB Cup with Ter Leede, and was capped 104 times by her country from 1987-2001.
Following her retirement in 2003, she began coaching at both Ter Leede and ADO Den Haag. In 2014, she took the assistant job for the Dutch women’s national side.
Wiegman received her full coaching license in 2016, becoming the first woman to work as a coach for a Dutch professional team.
She was then appointed head coach of the Dutch team, leading them to victory at the 2017 Euros. They also made the World Cup final two years later, in 2019.
In August 2020, it was announced Wiegman would take over from former Lionesses boss Phil Neville at the end of his contract.
She then led England women to Euros success on home soil in 2022. The victory was the first trophy for any senior England side since the 1966 Men’s World Cup.
Sarina Wiegman’s New England Deal
And her success has delivered a new contract, lasting until after the 2027 World Cup. Wiegman was due to be out of contract following Euro 2025, but has been rewarded with a new deal.
The FA had reportedly been pushing hard for her to re-sign. So much so that she had been linked with the men’s job as a successor to Gareth Southgate, as well as a potential Premier League role.
But Weigman herself has talked about ‘unfinished business’ with this England squad.
She told the Daily Mail: “I am so happy to have the chance to lead England through to 2027 after an incredible two and a half years.
“Looking forward, we have unfinished business and I know we are capable of even more, although nothing will come easy.”
Sarina Wiegman is here to stay, with her new contract signed she’s set to lead the lionesses through:
✅ 2025 Euros (as defending champions),
✅ 2025-26 Nations League
✅ 2027 World Cup.👏👏👏 pic.twitter.com/Xm8YWks3xf
— The Sportess (@TheSportess) January 16, 2024
Wiegman has been phenomenal so far, winning 34 of 45 games in charge. But with her team falling just short last summer, she will be determined to go one better in 2027.
She added: “Our game is becoming so competitive at the top level. I relish that opportunity and can’t wait to start the EURO qualifiers, followed by the World Cup.
“And, of course, it is very special to be able to play a part in giving our fans such wonderful moments.”
The news follows England’s failure to qualify for the Olympics on behalf of Team GB. But with Sarina Wiegman’s otherwise superb record, the FA are confident in her ability.
CEO Mark Bullingham was ‘thrilled’ to announce the renewel, stating there is ‘more to come’ from Wiegman’s team.
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