England Women appoint FIRST EVER foreign boss as Holland’s Sarina Wiegman becomes only second woman ever to lead Lionesses as she steps up to replace Phil Neville after the Olympics
- Phil Neville’s successor as Lionesses manager has been announced by the FA
- Current Holland manager Sarina Wiegman will be the team’s first foreign boss
- Wiegman will take charge in 2021 once Neville’s contract comes to its expiry
Sarina Wiegman has been announced as Phil Neville’s successor as England Women manager, becoming the Lionesses’ first ever foreign boss.
The FA announced that the former Manchester United defender’s contract would not be extended beyond next summer last June and have now moved to reveal who will come in.
Wiegman, the current Holland boss, has agreed a four-year contract from 2021 that will see her manage England’s campaigns for the home European Championship in 2022, the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, and the Euros in 2025.
Current Holland manager Sarina Wiegman will take over as England Women’s boss in 2021
Wiegman will replace Phil Neville as his current contract is not being extended by the FA
Wiegman is highly commended after successfully leading Holland to glory in the 2017 Euros
The 50-year-old will take charge of the Lionesses after honouring her commitment to lead the Dutch at the Olympics next summer.
Wiegman said: ‘I’m delighted and honoured to join England Women next year.
‘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.
Speaking after news broke on England she said she is excited to work with an ‘ambitious’ side
She is determined to go out on a high with Holland at the 2022 Euros and at the Olympics
‘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 Euros 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 am 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.’
Under Wiegman, Holland won the 2017 European Championship as hosts and reached the World Cup final last year, where they were beaten 2-0 by the USA.
The FA added it will now renew its dialogue with the home nations with regard to the postponed Olympics, now scheduled to take place in Tokyo next July, and a decision on the head coach for Team GB will be announced in due course.
Wiegman will only be the second woman to manage the team with Hope Powell the first
Neville will continue in the position until his contract expires and Wiegman takes charge
