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.

It was only accomplished by Sarina Wiegman.

The Dutchwoman will be hoping to lead England to back-to-back European titles when they face Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2025 final (17: 00 BST).

Dutch journalist Rivkah op het Veld says, “It says a lot that when the Netherlands are out of a tournament, there are no questions asked that I will follow England – that’s how big Wiegman is.”

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.

She excels at being honest because she is Dutch. She gave you a sense of belief, love and passion. Everyone, as much as they wanted to win for the team, also wanted to win for Sarina.

Wiegman is known for being direct “but not blunt”, as she stresses, and for her calm demeanour on the sidelines.

Although she has sharply expressed her emotions in media conferences after losing, she is rarely emotional, and is funny in other situations.

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 has gotten older and has celebrated intensely throughout England’s tumultuous Euro 2025 campaign, even calling it “in a movie” and telling fans that “they nearly killed her at least twice” with age and experience.

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. We didn’t notice that much when she first arrived, according to midfielder Keira Walsh.

“She’s probably one of the best managers I’ve played for in terms of trying to make everyone feel loved.

When competing in a tournament, it’s a really, really challenging job. She really, really cares about the human side.

You’ll notice her calmness as well, she says. 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, but he finds a balance between them.

She is often 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.

Before joining England in 2022 and 2023, she led the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 title and reached the 2019 World Cup final.

Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema was asked to compare current manager Andries Jonker and Wiegman during Euro 2025.

They are both obsessed with football, respectively. I can call them at 3am if I wanted to discuss something”, she said.

They both want to watch beautiful football, despite having their own training regimen.

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 ten months.

At Euro 2025, the stakes are even higher. England’s opposition is better, the pressure is higher, and there is more scrutiny.

Wiegman’s motivational speeches have become more significant.

Before the Italy semi-final victory, a good one definitely stood out, according to 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.

Organization is “a signature” of her teams, according to Netherlands boss Jonker, who oversaw Wiegman during her playing career.

Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley believes she is a “pragmatist”, while defender Lucy Bronze says she has had to “evolve” throughout her tenure.

Wiegman’s successful formula, however, appears to have persisted.

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 wants to keep her best XI on the pitch as long as she can, according to Bardsley.

“It was interesting that she learned really quickly where Lauren James would be most effective]at Euro 2025], and that Ella Toone had played her way into the team”.

Wiegman has frequently been questioned tactically.

Does she rotate her players enough? Her substitutions are too late, then. 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 Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood in the group stages.

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

She observes what is happening. We want something to happen quickly, but she’s that calming presence that’s like ‘ no, wait, let’s see what happens'”.

Fran Kirby, a former England international, claims that a structure like Wiegman’s has to be maintained should something “it will probably come unstuck” at some point.

“It’s to do with momentum, to do with structure. You won’t have the same number of chances against Spain as they did in previous games, Kirby said.

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.

Many people value her sincerity, but not everyone.

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

“Get the people you need to be surrounded by, and you know that the rest of the staff will help you fix it if she gives you some negative feedback.”

Kirby went from being a starter in 2022, to the fringes of the squad before she was told she would not make the cut for 2025.

The Brighton midfielder, who has already announced her international retirement, claims Wiegman quickly learned what kind of criticism was acceptable.

“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 claims that when Wiegman first took over, they frequently discussed analysis on Zoom when they were away from camp.

” She visits clubs as well, and has communication with club managers. No matter what time it is, she will pick up the phone from you, White added.

” She’s so approachable. She is a human being, and yes, she is the manager. 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 simply felt appreciative,” Bardsley said.

” I would have loved to have played under her. She took the time to chat, which I really appreciated because she wasn’t required to do that.

But Houghton did not feel she was given the same treatment and has been critical of Wiegman’s approach to her.

Wiegman was “quite brutal” in how she made her announcement to leave for the 2023 World Cup, according to Houghton in her book.

” 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. While Sarina was in charge, she warned me that I probably wouldn’t play for England.

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 with 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 and with extra-time drama in their semi-final victory over Italy.

She can step away from football because her family is “amazing” and allows her to ignore it. We need it as players, and the staff do as well, “said White.

She strikes a balance, she says. She also has great technical staff around her who can take on responsibilities so that everything isn’t on Sarina.

She thrives, though, 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 act quietly and do everything she has to do, he said, not panic.

“Her experience will help her in the moment. She doesn’t have a problem with it, but everyone around her does.

Having difficult conversations with players is something Wiegman is not afraid to do – but it is the hardest part of the job.

Afterward, she is subject to questions in the media about those events, most recently regarding goalkeeper Earps’ unexpected retirement.

With rumours circling that Earps 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. She claimed she was disappointed because she was in her plans, and there was a certain truth to her feelings about Earps.

Occasionally, Wiegman’s composure is broken – often when arguing with the fourth official or celebrating last-minute goals – but White says 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.

When she is told that she is the “mom,” she laughs, but she accepts.

“You know, sometimes when people say ‘ the girls ‘ I think, are they meaning my daughters, or are they meaning my team”? Wiegman remarked.

“It’s tricky. I care about them, but I also serve as 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. “

Since midfielder Toone’s father passed away from prostate cancer and forwards Mead and Rachel Daly both lost parents, maternal roles have become increasingly important.

Wiegman has also experienced grief. Three weeks before Euro 2022 began, her sister passed away. She celebrated in the final by kissing a bracelet worn in tribute.

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 with me throughout the tournament both before and afterward. If I ever need anything, I know I can go to her. We have a great squad, I’m grateful.

Kirby says Wiegman is” very professional “on the pitch and in training – but she also knows how to have a good time.

She and assistant Arjan Veurink, who is very competitive at ping-pong, eat together and participate in the games they play while on camp.

Miedema once revealed that she 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.

You’ll probably hear from the tournament after the final match, but she did the same before the Euro 2025 semi-final.

Whatever happens in Sunday’s final, Wiegman is going to enjoy it.