Sarina Wiegman is desperate to bring more success to England after agreeing to stay on as Lionesses boss through to the end of the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
Wiegman has earned widespread plaudits for her work with the England women’s setup since leaving the Netherlands – with whom she won Euro 2017 – to take up the role in 2021.
She led the Lionesses to the first major tournament success in their history at Euro 2022 on home soil, with Chloe Kelly’s extra-time winner firing them to a 2-1 win over Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium.
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Despite injuries to key players including Leah Williamson and Beth Mead, England went close to repeating the trick at last year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, only to suffer a heartbreaking 1-0 defeat to Spain in August’s final.
Wiegman’s existing contract with the Football Association was due to expire after England’s defence of their European crown in Switzerland next year, but on Tuesday it was announced that she had penned a two-year extension.
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— Lionesses (@Lionesses) January 16, 2024
At a press conference held later that day, Wiegman was asked whether the disappointment of England’s World Cup final defeat had pushed to stay on.
“I am motivated anyway but we had that disappointment,” she said. “You always want more, it’s hard. Playing finals are not easy, I think we have done very well.
“For me, we are at the level where we have to perform and everyone expects us to win.
“Working for England, it is the biggest federation worldwide. England is at the highest level with the competition, with the players, with the way the FA approaches women’s football.
“There is so much potential. We have experienced players, plus young players coming in. The Women’s Super League is growing too. It is really nice to work in England and I see a lot of potential.”
The news of Wiegman’s extension came just one day after she won FIFA’s Best Women’s Coach award for 2023, the fourth time she has collected the prize.
Having already landed the trophy in 2017, 2020 and 2022, Wiegman edged out Chelsea’s Emma Hayes – who will take the United States job later this year – and Barcelona Femeni boss Jonatan Giraldez at FIFA’s annual awards ceremony in London.
A message from Sarina! ???? pic.twitter.com/zOtCZ5hUEJ
— Lionesses (@Lionesses) January 16, 2024
