Arsenal boss Slegers names England manager Wiegman as an inspiration

Arsenal Women boss Renee Slegers described England manager Sarina Wiegman as an inspiration in her coaching career.

Slegers was appointed as Jonas Eidevall’s successor back in October and has started life impressively with the Gunners.

In an interview with Football Focus, the 36-year-old – whose career was ended prematurely by a serious knee injury back in 2018 – spoke of how her fellow Dutchwoman Wiegman is an example to follow.

“Sarina, I’ve seen her grow because in the year I got injured and stopped playing she was the assistant coach for the Netherlands, so she was there starting her career,” Slegers said.

“She’s an example for me because I think she’s a very strong woman with strong ideas, but she also has compassion and she found a whole new way of leading.”

Sliding into The @AdobeWFACup quarter finals…@kyracooneyx showing us how it’s done pic.twitter.com/pRUY9W0Kyc

— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) February 12, 2025

Under Slegers, Arsenal have won 15 of the 18 games she has taken charge of.

That run has helped the team climb to third in the WSL table from sixth, while they are into the quarter-finals of both the FA Cup and Champions League.

However, interestingly, Slegers admits she did not envisage herself as a leader.

She added: “I was always very interested in the game, of training methodology, of the tactics, but I never saw myself as a leader.

“Back then, leadership looked different. It’s changed so much, and I’m happy it’s going in this direction.

“I’ve found myself, and I found a way of being myself and being a leader.”