Sarina Wiegman has extended her contract as England Women manager until the end of Euro 2029.
Wiegman’s deal was due to expire at the end of the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, for which her side still have to qualify in December’s two-legged play-off against Ukraine. It is understood to be the biggest contract that has ever been offered to a Lionesses head coach.
There had been an expectation from some around the Lionesses camp that next year’s tournament would mark the natural end of a cycle for a coach who has already led England to two European Championships, one World Cup final and a Finalissima. The extension has therefore come as a surprise, but a welcome one. FA CEO Mark Bullingham described the Dutchwoman’s impact on English football as “immense”.
How will Wiegman navigate England 3.0?
The big challenge after next summer’s World Cup will be how Wiegman regenerates a new-look England. It is set to be Lucy Bronze’s final major tournament, though much of the groundwork has already been laid with the emergence of Maya Le Tissier.
In the Wiegman era, England have already navigated several major retirements – Jill Scott, Ellen White, Fran Kirby, Mary Earps, Millie Bright. Grace Fisk, Freya Godfrey and Lexi Potter all made their debuts over the recent international break.
There is no shortage of options when it comes to promising young attackers, but familiar problems in defence continue to plague the Lionesses and there are still question marks over the make-up of the midfield, with Ella Toone currently out of favour.
Who will lead England after Wiegman?
That does not stop England being among the favourites for Brazil 2027 even before they have qualified. They are only in the play-offs due to a convoluted new system whereby only one member of their group qualified automatically – after finding themselves placed alongside world champions Spain, they finished as runners-up. So there is no cause for alarm on that front.
Wiegman is the world’s most successful big tournament manager and England had long hoped she would lead them to South America. The problem of who eventually succeeds her has now been pushed even further down the road – and it’s probably just as well.
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There is currently no standout candidate, not least because of a lack of experienced female coaches. Particularly English ones. The WSL has just three English female managers: Crystal Palace’s Jo Potter, Charlton’s Karen Hills and Birmingham’s Amy Merricks.
Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes is now in charge of the US, while Emma Coates – previously with the England youth set-up – is also managing in America with Bay FC. Casey Stoney, who played 130 times for the Lionesses, is in charge of Canada Women.
Tying down Wiegman was essential if England are continue on their current run. She maintains her position as one of the best-paid coaches in women’s football – though her new deal is not expected to match the contract of her England Men’s counterpart Thomas Tuchel.