Excellence is a word that perfectly describes Sarina Wiegman, the head coach of the England women’s national team.
The Dutchwoman had a playing career that spanned 16 years first as a midfielder before switching to a defender. She spent a notable part of her youth career in the United States with the North Carolina Tar Heels in 1989, playing alongside the likes of Mia Hamm, Kristine Lilly and Carla Overbeck that went on to become stars for the US Women’s National Team.
She moved back to her native Netherlands in 1994 to play for Ter Leede, winning three domestic games before hanging her boots in 2003. Wiegman also represented her country, earning 99 international caps, scoring three goals, and helping them reach the quarter-finals of the 1989, 1991 and 1993 European Women’s Championship.
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— AfroSport (@AfroSportTV) May 10, 2023
Wiegman ventured into management after retirement and has made a name for herself. She began managing Ter Leede, where she spent her entire playing career in 2006 and achieved instant success, winning the league and cup in 2007. She moved to ADO Den Haag that same year and won the league and cup in 2012 and the cup again in 2013.
Wiegman moved to the Netherlands women’s national team in 2014 as an assistant and coordinator of the women’s U-19 national team. After two stints as interim manager, Wiegman was permanently appointed in January 2017, six months ahead of the 2017 Women’s Euro hosted by her country. Morale was low in the team before her appointment as they lost four in five matches leading in the tournament. Weighman was able to boost their confidence and implement an attacking style of play.
Sarina Wiegman is the first manager to win The Best FIFA Coach award three times.
◉ 2017
◉ 2020
◉ 2022#TheBest pic.twitter.com/NrN3QRD6wu— Squawka (@Squawka) February 27, 2023
The Netherlands ladies were in blistering form during the Euros winning every game en route to the final, beating Denmark 4-2 for the country’s first major international honour in women’s football. Wiegmann also became the second Dutch coach to lead the national team to a major honour after Rinus Michels did so for the men’s team at Euro 1988. Wiegman was subsequently awarded as The Best FIFA Women’s Coach that year and also awarded as a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau.
The Netherlands form continued to evolve under Wiegmann and reached the final of the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup but lost out to the United States. It was still a big achievement as it was the first time the Dutch team did that and in recognition, the Dutch Football Association (KNVB) created a likeness of her in the association’s statue garden for her contributions to Dutch football, becoming the first woman to receive such honour.
Wiegman’s success with the Netherlands women’s team caught the attention of the English Football Association and appointed her as the head coach of the England women’s national team in August 2020, succeeding Phil Neville and becoming the first foreign coach to lead the team.
In her first year in charge, Wiegman led England to victories over Northern Ireland, France, Canada, and New Zealand, and helped them qualify for the Women’s Euro 2022 on home soil as group winners. She also emphasised the need for the team to play attacking and attractive football, with a focus on possession-based play and quick transitions.
Sarina Wiegman is the only manager in European Championship history to win a senior tournament with two different nations.
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— Squawka (@Squawka) August 25, 2022
Wiegman would eventually lead England to victory, defeating tournament favourites Germany 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium last July. It was the first international title for the women’s team and only the second international title for the country after the men’s World Cup triumph in 1966 also on home soil. She became the fourth female manager to retain the Euros title and the first to win the competition with two different countries.
Wiegman was awarded the UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award in August and was conferred with the Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) by the late Queen of England Elizabeth II in recognition of Wiegman’s role in England’s Euro success.
The accolades have not stopped coming for Wiegman as she was awarded The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for 2022 in February this year, her third time winning it and the most by any coach, male or female. She is also the only coach to have won the award more than once.
England's form since Sarina Wiegman's appointment:
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— Squawka (@Squawka) April 6, 2023
Last month, Wiegman led England to victory in the 2023 Women’s Finalissima, defeating Brazil on penalties at Wembley.
The 53-year-old has her sights on the Women’s World Cup coming up in Australia and New Zealand in July and it’s a no-brainer that England are favourites to win it. With all the Dutch manager has achieved in just six years and counting, she definitely deserves a place among the most successful national team managers.
