England Women have appointed Sarina Wiegman as their new head coach succeeding Phil Neville.
Neville announced in April he will leave his position at the end of his three-and-a-half year contract next July and his susuccessor has now been revealed.
Wiegman is the current coach of the Netherlands national team and she led them to the Euro 2017 title knocking out England in the semi-final before a 4-2 win over Denmark in the final as Arsenal striker Vivianne Miedema scored a brace.
She has signed a four-year deal with England but will remain in her current role through to next summer’s rearranged Olympic Games in Tokyo, before beginning her tenure in September 2021.
She has of course worked with Arsenal stars Danielle van de Donk, Jill Roord and Miedema as well as Tottenham’s Siri Worm but will now link up with Gunners trio Leah Williamson, Jordan Nobbs and Beth Mead in the England set-up.
Wiegman was named Fifa’s best women’s coach in 2017 before guiding the Dutch to the final of the Women’s World Cup in 2019 as they slipped to defeat against the USA who lifted the trophy for a fourth time.
Her first major tournament in charge of the Lionesses will be the Women’s Euro 2021 on home soil.
During her playing career Wiegman made 104 appearances and was captain of the Netherlands in her playing career.
She joined ADO Den Haag Women as manager in 2007 and first joined the national team coaching set-up as assistant in 2014.
The FA said a decision on who will take charge of Great Britain at the Olympics in Japan will be announced “in due course”.
Neville is under contract until July 2021, with the games set to run from 23 July to 8 August.
“I’m delighted and honoured to join England Women next year,” Wiegman said.
“England is the cradle of football and the major developments in women’s football globally over recent years have been led by The FA. I’m very much looking forward to contributing my experience and expertise to this ambitious team.”
The ride with the ‘Oranje Lionesses’ has been amazing so far, but we haven’t reached our final destination yet. There are two more goals: qualifying for the UEFA Women’s EURO in 2022 and challenging at the Olympics next summer. That would be a fitting completion for me of everything we’ve strived to achieve in women’s football in my home country.”
“I’m extremely excited by the prospect of leading England Women in the future, but for now I am 100 per cent focused on Oranje. I will do my utmost to add another chapter to their remarkable journey before making my next step.”
The FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, added “We are thrilled to have secured Sarina to lead the Lionesses until 2025. She was the outstanding candidate from a very strong field.
“Having won a home EURO in 2017 and leading the Netherlands to the final of the FIFA Women’s World Cup last year, she’s a proven winner and we’re confident she can take England to the next level, giving us the best possible opportunity of achieving our ambition to win a major tournament.”
The FA’s director of women’s football Sue Campbell added: “It speaks volumes for the progress of England Women over recent years and the bold ambitions we have for the future that we had so many world-class candidates apply for the role.
“Sarina was our number one choice. She’s the perfect cultural fit for us, which is crucially important in building a winning team. Her technical expertise, leadership skills and winning mentality is hugely impressive.
“I am confident that together with our incredible support staff and ambitious, talented playing squad she can help us achieve the international success we are striving for.
“Sarina will also be a great ambassador for the the FA and the women’s game in England, sharing our desire to inspire the next generation of English players, coaches, administrators and supporters.”
