‘The next Wiegman’ – the story of Arsenal manager on brink of history

Vic Akers was in charge of Arsenal when they last won the Women’s Champions League. He had then ruled the organization for the entire 20 years.

No manager has succeeded in capturing the British side’s title in 2007 and advancing the club to the top of Europe.

That might soon change.

Renee Slegers has a chance to restore Arsenal’s European glory just four months after taking over as the club’s permanent head coach.

However, how has the Dutchwoman, who is referred to as the “next Sarina Wiegman,” risen in the ranks and become one of Europe’s most promising young coaches?

Slegers has a long history with Arsenal, having joined the club’s academy when he was 17 years old in 2006.

After making one senior appearance the following year, Akers was crowned champions of the Champions League, or Uefa Cup, as it was known at the time.

Little did Slegers know that after nine years, her professional career would be over, and that she would once again lead Arsenal to a second European championship.

Before a serious knee injury ended her career in 2016, what was Slegers’ character as a football player like? Leonne Stentler’s 55-cap Netherlands midfielder has the word “intelligent” in her mind.

Stentler, who played alongside Slegers for the Dutch national side, said, “You see in everything she does that she’s very intelligent.”

She takes intelligent decisions every time she goes on the field. She was very technical, which was a beautiful technique, and she knows where she needs to be.

The Dutch side Willem II midfielder spent time with Djurgardens and Linkoping before moving to Sweden where she spent time before suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in a friendly against England, just nine months before the Netherlands won the Euro 2017 championship under Wiegman.

A promising future in coaching was officially announced with the end of her professional playing career.

Slegers who studied communication sciences while still playing the sport weren’t always sure what they wanted to do.

She was “overly intelligent to do something in coaching,” Stentler said. She would go to work for a company that would manage a lot of people and pursue a similar kind of career, I would advise.

People started taking notice, however, when word spread that Slegers was using her Uefa coaching license.

Some women’s football experts in Holland said, “OK, we should wait until Renee Slegers gets her Uefa pro license.” She would then be the best successor to Sarina Wiegman, Stentler continued.

Everyone would always believe Renee Slegers would make the best coach when a coach was fired or simply quit, according to Sutter. Everyone has a strong belief in her.

Slegers began her coaching career in Sweden by taking over Limhamn Bunkeflo and Sweden’s Under-23s before moving to Rosengard to lead their B team.

She was promoted to head coach of the first team when Jonas Eidevall assumed control of Arsenal in 2021. Eidevall then demanded an individual player development position at Arsenal in 2023.

Rosengard’s head of youth coaching, Jonathan Bartling, who is still close friends with Slegers, her partner, former Linkoping defender Maja Krantz, and their three-year-old son, said, “I was playing with her son at the time, but we were on the walk when Jonas called and asked her if she was interested in that position.”

I spent two years working with Jonas, who I believe is very, very driven and knows his football. So I believe it was a fantastic opportunity, especially given where she is right now; it’s a nice projection there.

Jen Beattie, a former Scotland defender, claimed that she “always gives you the time” while Slegers was a player development manager at Arsenal.

Slegers has moved up the ladder at Arsenal, starting as Rosengard’s assistant before resigning in October after a disappointing first-half of the season.

Her impact was immediate. In her first 11 games in charge, she won without a defeat, which turned out to be a nearly flawless audition for the permanent position.

Arsenal left-back Katie McCabe praised Renee for stabilizing the situation.

She gave us a belief and a sense of confidence. She exudes self-assurance, which is what I have faith in from the team’s leadership.

Since Slegers took over as Arsenal’s new manager, there have been some bumps along the way, but two spectacular comeback victories over Real Madrid and Lyon have secured Arsenal’s place in the Champions League final.

Stentler claims that having a “knowledge of communication” with her players is essential to Sleger’s success, while Beattie claims that the Dutch coach has improved the confidence of Arsenal players.

“That’s typical Renee,” Stentler said, “to make sure you know every player you’re working with, know how you approach them, and how you should communicate with them, and how you can get them to consider tactical ideas and pitch them to you.”

Beattie continued, “What she’s done is listen to players, getting their minds clear, and giving them confidence.” I believe everyone can see the players’ lack of confidence right now.

Slegers has cut a composed figure on the touchline while Arsenal have repeatedly put their fans through the wringer this season.

The 36-year-old said following Arsenal’s comeback victory against Lyon that despite coming off as “doing nothing,” she is “not just calm and composed.”

She never fails to be true to herself. There is a balance between her and her, according to Stentler, who is calm and has a lot of calmness over her.

Nobody I know would not like her, I don’t know. It’s simple to share a room with Renee.

Bartling also notices Slegers’ side, who frequently visits him in Sweden and frequently collaborate on “handiwork projects.”

She appears to be [a very similar person] to the pitch. Although there might not be the same amount of adrenaline on the sidelines, he said, “he said he likes to be quite handy. He is very friendly, family-oriented, and down to earth.

We’ve been putting a lot of effort into renovating. It’s like having a small house on top of an allotment garden, which is what you call it in English.

“We’ve been planting and harvesting vegetables in one of those outside rooms, renovating the floor of that room, and installing new window panes there.”

Slegers’ biggest coaching experience so far is undoubtedly her final on Saturday, but the 36-year-old is already a “role model” for many.

We discuss whether or not to believe in your dream, and I believe she is a role model. She is a role model for me in my work with youth coaches, she said.