Slegers’ ‘greatest quality’ is to empower people

Leah Williamson, the captain of Arsenal, claims that Renee Slegers’ greatest asset is her capacity to inspire others.

Slegers, 35, was named the Gunners ‘ permanent head coach on Friday morning, having served in the same role in an interim position for three months since Jonas Eidevall’s departure in October.

Under the former Netherlands international midfielder, Arsenal have been unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions, winning 10 after a poor start to the season.

They are one point ahead of Manchester City and seven points ahead of leaders Chelsea as they enter the second half of the Women’s Super League campaign.

Prior to Eidevall’s departure, Arsenal only managed to collect five points out of a possible 12 in one of their four league games.

Speaking on Slegers ‘ appointment on a permanent basis, Williamson said: “I am glad she got the job. Obviously, results have been great, but the environment has been nice. It’s a nice place to come to work, which is important.

” I’ve spoken to her about this. The empowerment and the natural way it has worked, in my opinion, make up her greatest asset or quality in that capacity.

Slegers is not an unfamiliar face around Arsenal, both internally and externally.

She started out at Arsenal as Eidevall’s assistant coach in September 2023, where she spent 13 months working before making the transition.

After Eidevall left three months ago, Slegers transformed the Gunners from a team that finished sixth in the WSL after four games.

No team has collected more WSL points than the Gunners since she took over the interim. Only Chelsea, the reigning champion in the league, has been able to replicate that style.

But despite a change in job and the team’s fortunes, Williamson has praised Slegers ‘ modest personality.

“It’s hard for somebody to stay the same person in the way that they act”, added the defender. I believe Renee is a strong and decent woman, so I don’t doubt what she says.

You have that less pressured relationship with a group of players as an assistant, and being in that position, in my opinion, puts you in better position to make those decisions that a head coach would require because you know everyone and you know the players.

“I haven’t seen her change so far,” she says, which is great, of course, because it speaks a lot about her personality.

Shortly before it became widely known, Slegers revealed her new agreement to the players.

But she quickly turned her attention to Swedish defender Amanda Ilestedt, who was celebrating her 32nd birthday, rather than her own big news.

“We all found out today”, said Williamson, 27. “She’s a very humble person and modest person, Renee.

Williamson claimed that Slegers’ main influence on her personally has been to assist her in navigating challenging times.

” The biggest impact she’s had is my mentality and being perfectly charged, “added the England captain, whose side host bottom club Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Before we used to understand our passion, the impact it had on those around me, and the impact it had on my performance, I feel that was the case.

“I appreciate it because I believe she has seen me in a good way and has looked at me. She criticises me, don’t get me wrong, but I’m looking forward to seeing the on-pitch role and the way that develops”.

Williamson has experienced trouble in recent years after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury last season. Her 2024-25 campaign was ended by a concussion and illness.

Before Christmas, she enjoyed a rhythm of games and now feels back to her best.

“I just felt like, ‘ this surely isn’t happening again’, so I’m glad to see the back of it”, said Williamson on her setbacks. I feel match-fit right now, which is important to me because it allows me to evaluate my performance rather than rush through two things at once. It’s just about football.

” I think I finished]2024] strong, I felt]as] strong as I have for a long time really with all of the injuries so I’m very excited.

Heading into Sunday’s meeting with Palace, their first ever in the WSL, Arsenal are looking to overturn the current seven-point deficit to Chelsea.

Of the nine points dropped by the Gunners in 10 games this season, seven came during Eidevall’s tenure.

With 12 games left, Williamson added: “How quickly we fell out of it so to speak at the start of the season, that can happen to anybody so we’re ready. We’ll chase as much as we can.

Before Christmas, we had a strong result and gained points that others didn’t, which was important. Obviously it’s not in our hands, but we’re 100% still in the title race.

“I don’t think it feels like we’ve been in our worst position in the league for the past couple of years at this time of year,” he said.