Wiegman ‘not for sale at any price’, says FA chief

According to Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham, Sarina Wiegman is “not for sale at any price.”

Only one of the five major tournaments in which Wiegman has coached men’s and women’s basketball has reached the final.

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

The 55-year-old is seeking to become the third manager to win three consecutive women’s Euros titles after Germany duo Gero Bisanz (1989, 1991, 1995) and Tina Theune (1997, 2001, 2005).

“I want to pay Sarina homage. Before Sunday’s Euro 2025 final against Spain (17:00 BST), Bullingham stated, “I think her individual record is phenomenal.

“I told the media before the tournament that we were fortunate to have her, and I still think that way.” She has been amazing, in my opinion.

Her track record is outstanding, reaching five finals and managing five tournaments. Nobody in the past should have been this close to that, and that will be very difficult in the future.

We’re delighted to have her with us because she is a truly special coach.

When asked if it would be difficult to persuade her to stay if she were to succeed again on Sunday, the FA responded, “Not hard at all. She and we will remain committed to each other until 2027. A new coaching staff is joining her, according to the organization.

In the song by a 1950s American rock and roll band called The Champs, England fans have created a new chant for Wiegman, replacing the word “tequila” with “sarina.”

Additionally, shirts and banners featuring the words “In Sarina We Trust” have been created.

However, Wiegman’s starting XI in the defeat by France, her tactics in the tense quarter-final victory over Sweden, and her substitutions generally come under fire.

Are England supporters ignoring her?

It’s difficult for me to comment on that. We should all recognize that we have a very special coach, said Bullingham.

“I do believe her tournament record is incredible, but I also admire the work she does with players, the connections she makes in camps, and her work ethic.

She appears to be the coolest person in the stadium when she says, “She is just a cool head and the way she transmits that onto the pitch.”

That certainly helps in difficult circumstances, I assure you. She is a very special coach, and we are fortunate to have her, but I can only offer my opinion.

Bullingham claims that because of her “speciality,” there are nations with world-class players in their squads who have not had as much success as Wiegman’s.

Bullingham cited her success as a reason for her performance, saying that she frequently maintained that level of calm while maintaining her level of concentration and player connection.

Every staff member who entered this camp felt valued by her, and they all understood what their responsibilities were and how they could work together as a whole.

Despite his recent success, Bullingham was questioned as to why Wiegman’s salary was not on par with that of England’s Thomas Tuchel.

Although the FA hasn’t disclosed any information about Wiegman’s salary, TNT Sports claims she receives a salary of £400,000 per year plus potential performance-related bonuses.

Tuchel, who has an 18-month contract, is reportedly earning a reported £5 million annually as part of his appointment as England men’s manager in January.

She obviously operates in a different market, Bluffingham told BBC Sport.

We believe that each role is just as significant if you consider how important we think of it. It’s amazing that we’ll keep her locked until 2027.