Archive July 27, 2025

It’s special to reach a major tournament final. To reach the final in all five major tournaments at which you have managed is extraordinary.

Only Sarina Wiegman has done it.

After drawing 1-1 with Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2025 final, the Dutchwoman led England to back-to-back European titles.

It meant Wiegman has now won three successive European Championships, doing so with the Netherlands in 2017 and then the Lionesses in 2022 and 2025.

After Christina Theune did it with Germany in 1997, 2001, and 2005, she is the second manager to do it.

“We said we can win by any means and that’s what we have shown again”, Wiegman said after victory in Basel.

Wiegman was born in The Hague – the third largest city in the Netherlands – and was a PE teacher at a secondary school while playing football.

Before retiring in 2003 while expecting her second child, she became the leader of her country. She made 99 appearances.

“From when I first met her, I thought just what a lovely person she was. She excelled in communication. She knew how to talk to individuals”, said former England striker Ellen White.

“Being Dutch, she’s good at being honest. You were reassured by her love, conviction, and conviction. That’s why everyone, as much as they wanted to win for the team, wanted to win for Sarina”.

Wiegman is known for her directness, “but not blunt,” as she insists, and for maintaining a low-key attitude on the sidelines.

She rarely shows her emotions, although she has been sharp in media conferences following a defeat, and funny in others when she is more relaxed.

A new chant by the fans, who replace the word ‘ tequila ‘ with ‘ Sarina ‘ in a song by The Champs, has made her blush in Switzerland.

Wiegman loosened as a result of her age and experience, and she enthusiastically celebrated during England’s tumultuous Euro 2025 campaign, even calling it “in a movie” and telling the audience that “they nearly killed her at least twice.

The 55-year-old even sang a song in Dutch to the players in a post-match huddle last week.

She displays more of her excitement after games than she did before. She’s dancing and singing. When she first came in, we didn’t see that so much”, said midfielder Keira Walsh.

She is probably one of the best managers I’ve worked with, making everyone feel loved.

” It’s a really, really difficult job when you’re in a tournament. She is extremely concerned about the human side.

“Another thing that you notice is how calm she is. It makes a massive difference in the 95th minute when you’re losing 1-0”.

Wiegman has a “range of personalities,” according to defender Alex Greenwood, who manages to balance them well.

She has often been described as a “mum” to the team and Wiegman admits that makes the job hard when she has to make difficult decisions.

For the most part, Beth Mead said, “We know she has our]backs,” adding that.

Underpinning Wiegman’s personality is a ruthless desire to win.

She led the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 title and reached the 2019 World Cup final with her home nation, before doing the exact same with England in 2022, 2023 and 2025.

Vivianne Miedema, the Netherlands’ striker, was asked to compare Wiegman and Andries Jonker for Euro 2025.

“Both of them are crazy about football. If I want to talk to them about something, I can call them at 3 a.m.,” she said.

“They both have their own style of training but they both want to see beautiful football”.

Wiegman’s task was clear when she joined England in September 2021. A significant trophy was anticipated.

“Absolutely. I am aware. I come here to bring the next level”, was her response when she was first asked about this at her unveiling in front of media.

She delivered in the space of 10 months.

The stakes were even higher at Euro 2025. Pressure had increased, scrutiny was more intense and England’s opposition were better.

Wiegman’s motivational speeches gained more weight.

“We had a good one before the Italy]semi-final victory] that definitely stood out”, said midfielder Ella Toone.

“Half-time is when you talk tactics but Sarina’s speeches before the games have definitely got us motivated. You can’t help but think of the words she said before the game when we’ve scored too many goals.

” You really hold on to every word she says. You are prepared to go up and fight for each other when she finishes her conversation. She has definitely upped her game with these motivational speeches.

Netherlands boss Jonker, who managed Wiegman during her playing career, says organisation is a “signature” of her teams.

Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley calls herself a “pragmatist,” while Lucy Bronze, a defender, claims she has had to “evolve” throughout her tenure.

But on the surface, Wiegman’s winning formula has remained.

She has instilled a resilience in her squad, and relies heavily on substitutes coming on to change games. She refers to them as “finishers” and thinks that England can get back into games if they are in trouble no matter how late.

Rarely changing her starting XI, Wiegman’s gameplan is gospel. If you don’t stick to her plan, why make adjustments when necessary?

“She knows what her players are capable of and sets them up in a way that plays to their strengths. She knows her best XI and wants to keep them on the pitch for as long as possible”, said Bardsley.

Ella Toone had played her way into the team, and she quickly discovered where Lauren James would be most effective [at Euro 2025] was intriguing.

Tactically, Wiegman has often been questioned.

Does she regularly rotate her players? Are her substitutions too late? Has she solved the conundrum of teams working out how to mark Keira Walsh out of games?

However, it has paid off with Euro 2025.

Following defeat by France, she moved James out wide and added Toone to the team. In the dramatic win over Italy, she replaced captain Leah Williamson with 19-year-old forward Michelle Agyemang, who scored in extra time. She switched defenders Greenwood and Jess Carter in the group stages.

“After the Italy game she was like: ‘ I did]my substitutions] just in time’, which I loved”, said White.

“She watches what is happening. We want something to happen right away, but she has that calming voice that says, “No, wait, let’s see what happens.”

Former England midfielder Fran Kirby says that at some point “it will probably come unstuck” but it’s crucial they maintain a structure, like Wiegman has created.

It has to do with structure and momentum. You’re not going to get all these chances]against Spain] that they have got in previous games”, said Kirby.

Wiegman is also ruthless.

She dropped former England captain Steph Houghton in 2022, and told goalkeeper Mary Earps she would not be the number one for Euro 2025.

Her honesty was appreciated by many, but not all.

Midfielder Georgia Stanway said, “Sarina has always been direct, she always says it how it is, whether you like it or not,” and that is something you have to take on the chin.

“Get the people around you that you need and if she gives you some negative feedback then you know that the rest of the staff are going to help you to fix it”.

Before being told she wouldn’t make the cut for 2025, Kirby went from being a starter in 2022 to the fringes of the squad.

The Brighton midfielder announced her international retirement early as a result but says Wiegman learned quickly what style of feedback people could handle.

“If it’s not right for the team, she will be direct with you, regardless of what you are feeling”, said Kirby.

You have that respect for her when you do have that difficult conversation because she gets to know you, though. You know that it’s not personal, it’s just she needs more from you or she needs you to do more for the team.

She simply follows the advice of everyone, regardless of whether you have 80 or five caps. Everyone is treated the same. “

White says they had regular one-to-one conversations when Wiegman first took over and they often discussed analysis on Zoom away from camp.

She communicates with club managers and also goes to events. She’ll always pick up the phone to you no matter what time it is, “added White.

She seems to be very approachable. Yes, she is the manager, but she is a human being. She wants what is best for you. “

Due to her injuries, Bardsley had to retire before appearing with Wiegman, but she kept in touch with her teammates throughout her recovery attempt.

The ex-goalkeeper was given a six-week deadline to return to play and when it was clear she wouldn’t make it, she called Wiegman, who was” very empathetic”.

She has such strong emotional intelligence that I was disappointed. It probably made her selection headache a lot easier but she said lots of nice things about my career. I was just grateful, “said Bardsley.

I’d have preferred to have played with her, she said. She took the time to have a chat and I really appreciated that because she didn’t have to do that. “

Houghton has criticised Wiegman’s treatment of her, but she did not think she received the same treatment.

Writing in her book, Houghton said she felt Wiegman was” pretty brutal “in how she communicated that she would not be part of her squad for the 2023 World Cup.

” We were told we would know the final World Cup squad on Tuesday, “Houghton wrote.

I made an appearance for Nike at St. George’s Park on Monday. When I went back to the changing room, I had a missed call from Sarina. She asked me to go meet her in the canteen after telling her she wasn’t taking me because she didn’t know I was there.

“I found myself wondering if this would have been a face-to-face conversation if I hadn’t already been at St George’s Park. Sarina told me that I probably wouldn’t play for England while she was in charge.

Dealing with adversity is nothing new for Wiegman.

She missed the final group game against Northern Ireland because she tested positive for Covid at Euro 2022.

Captain Williamson, Euro 2022 top scorer Beth Mead and regular starter Kirby were all ruled out of the 2023 World Cup through injury.

Within ten days of the start of Euro 2025, she had Earps and Kirby retire, and World Cup captain Millie Bright resign.

Defeat in their tournament opener by France piled on the pressure, and she was tested in a penalty shootout win over Sweden, while extra-time drama followed in their semi-final victory over Italy.

” She has an amazing family behind her so she is able to step away and not think about football. We need it as players, and they do it as well, White asserted.

” She has that balance. She also has excellent technical support in her area so Sarina isn’t burdened.

“But she thrives under pressure. She loves it. She executes her game plans with great care. She doesn’t leave a stone unturned”.

In England’s second group game, it was a must-win game against the Netherlands, but the opposing manager Jonker was aware that Wiegman would not fall apart under the pressure.

“She is very experienced and she knows you cannot always win. She will not panic, she will be quiet in her head and do everything she she has to do”, he said.

“Her knowledge will be useful for her at this time.” It is not a problem for her, but more for everyone around her”.

Wiegman is not afraid to engage in challenging conversations with players, but it’s the most difficult part of the job.

She has to face questions in the media about those situations afterwards, most recently the shock retirement of Earps.

With rumours circling the goalkeeper had withdrawn after being unhappy at falling down the pecking order, Wiegman refused to give out details.

She has the right conversations with the right people, according to Bardsley, but I believe her approach to handling challenging situations is what drives her to share her emotion.

“If she’s not happy about something, she goes straight to the source. She won’t yell at other people before handling the situation before going over it.

” She makes sure these things don’t become distractions. There was the element of truth in her emotions around Earps – saying she was disappointed because she was in her plans.

Occasionally, Wiegman’s composure is broken – often when arguing with the fourth official or celebrating last-minute goals – but White said she is still calm around the hotel and dressing room.

She obviously raises her voice when she wants to tell you what she’s coaching and what she wants from you, White continued.

“But there are no grey areas. She simply maintains that even keel while not running or going crazy.

Wiegman has learned to enjoy things more and make the most of time spent together with players at major tournaments.

She laughed, but agreed, when it was put to her that she was the ‘ mum ‘ of the squad.

“You know, sometimes I think, “the girls,” that would mean “my daughters” or “the girls” would mean “my team”? said Wiegman.

It’s challenging,” he said. I care about them but at the same time I’m the coach. I’m making these hard decisions so sometimes you should leave that caring up to them.

They are “adult women!” But a mum should care. Sometimes I feel like missing them. Only when it’s urgent or when it’s really necessary, I get in contact with them. “

That maternal role has been important in recent years as midfielder Toone’s father died from prostate cancer, after forwards Mead and Rachel Daly also lost parents.

Wiegman has gone through loss as well. Her sister passed away three weeks before the start of Euro 2022. She kissed a memorial bracelet to celebrate the final.

” We obviously have a deeper connection. We lost two people that were very, very close to us in quick succession, “said Mead.

“Sarina and I are very understanding. Hopefully everyone feels like that and you’re seeing that on the pitch. She has produced that culture.

Toone added:” Sarina has been amazing. She spoke to me before the tournament and throughout the tournament. I am certain that I can reach her if I ever require anything. I’m grateful we have such a good squad. “

Wiegman is “very professional” both on and off the field, according to Kirby, who also enjoys having fun.

She eats with the players at meals, and joins in on games they play while on camp, alongside assistant Arjan Veurink, who gets very competitive at ping-pong.

Miedema once revealed Wiegman brought a teddy bear to Euro 2017 and a coffee cup to the Olympics in Tokyo as they reminded her of home. She won the Euros medal at the 2019 World Cup. These objects were used as motivation and she invited players to bring their own things.

Before the Euro 2025 semi-final, Wiegman did the same, but she kept her cards to herself as she said, “You’ll probably hear after the tournament. “