England Women manager Sarina Wiegman has agreed a new contract with the Football Association, keeping her in the role until UEFA Women’s Euro 2029, when the Lionesses will be aiming for a third successive title.
Speaking after the announcement of the new deal, the Dutchwoman said: “I am so happy to be able to carry on with this squad and cannot think of a better job in football. Working for a world-class organisation like The FA excites me every day.”
Weigman’s previous contract took her up to the conclusion of next summer’s World Cup in Brazil, which the Lionesses will qualify for if they overcome Ukraine over two legs in their play-off, with the second leg taking place at Wembley Stadium on 5 December.
Arriving With Pedigree and Delivering Success
Sarina Wiegman was appointed as England Women’s first foreign manager in August 2020 to take over in September 2021, succeeding Phil Neville following five years as boss of her native Netherlands, where they won UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 on home soil and reached the final of the 2019 Women’s World Cup.
Wiegman led England to the delayed UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 on home soil, easing through the Group Stage against Austria, Norway and Northern Ireland, scoring 14 goals without reply. Further wins over Spain and Sweden saw England reach the final against Germany.
In front of a record crowd at Wembley, England took the lead through Ella Toone but Lina Magull equalised to force extra time. With ten minutes remaining, a goalmouth scramble ended with Chloe Kelly finishing from close range to end the 56-year wait for major silverware.
Building A Dynasty
The Euros win sparked an explosion of interest in the women’s game and gave Wiegman a platform to build on heading into the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which England qualified for after winning all ten qualifiers, scoring a remarkable 80 goals without conceding.
Despite being without Euros-winning captain Leah Williamson through an ACL injury, England made it all the way to the final, again winning their group with a 100% record and overcoming co-hosts Australia in the semi-finals. However, they were narrowly beaten by Spain.
England’s defence of their European Championship title got off to a rocky start as they were beaten 2-1 by France, but recovered to beat the Netherlands and Wales to reach the quarter-finals. They needed penalties to overcome Sweden and a late comeback to see off Italy in the semi-finals.
The final saw a reunion with Spain and England once again fell behind through Mariona Caldentey, but Alessia Russo equalised. Hannah Hampton saved three penalties in the shootout as the Lionesses retained the title, the first English side to win a tournament on foreign soil.
Looking ahead
With her future now secured, Wiegman will look to secure England’s place at the World Cup in Brazil and go one better than the previous two tournaments. Should England make it past Ukraine, they will learn their opponents in the tournament draw on 11 December.
Following the World Cup, England’s attention will turn to their bid for a third successive European Championship, with the finals taking place in Germany in 2029. The schedule for qualifying has yet to be confirmed, although in line with recent tournaments it is expected to begin in October 2027 with the next cycle of the Nations League.
What Wiegman has been able to achieve in her five years in charge of England has already created a remarkable legacy, but with the next generation of players coming through and showing promise, there could still be plenty more to come.