´Why not?´ – Former Spain captain Boquete tips Wiegman to succeed Southgate

Sarina Wiegman is an outstanding coach and could succeed Gareth Southgate as manager of the England men’s national team, says former Spain captain Veronica Boquete.

With reports suggesting Southgate may depart after he leads the Three Lions to his fourth major tournament at Euro 2024, various coaches have been touted as potential successors.

Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola is a reported target for the Football Association, but Wiegman’s name has also been mentioned after she led the Lionesses to Euro 2022 glory last year.

Wiegman was denied another trophy as England were beaten by Spain in last month’s Women’s World Cup final, but Boquete remains convinced by her work with the Lionesses.

The 36-year-old midfielder – who captained her country at the 2015 World Cup – feels Wiegman’s name should be in the conversation.

“I think this is going to arrive, there is going to be a moment where a woman will be coaching a high-level [men’s] team or national team,” Boquete told Stats Perform. “She has already showed that she is a fantastic coach, that she has the knowledge, that she is a leader. So why not?

“What are they going to say? ‘Oh, no, she cannot be the coach of the men’s national team’ – Why not? She has already proved that she is great.

“For me, it’s about capacities and knowledge and if the players want to be coached by the best. If she is the best, they should give her the chance.

“Everyone would be supporting her because it would be something fantastic for football but also for society.”

Two years of incredible memories #OnThisDay in 2021, Sarina Wiegman became our head coach! pic.twitter.com/ZDxsC3JCmA

— Lionesses (@Lionesses) September 1, 2023

Spain’s first Women’s World Cup win was overshadowed by the behaviour of Spanish Football Federation [RFEF] president Luis Rubiales, who has been provisionally suspended by FIFA after grabbing Jennifer Hermoso and kissing the forward on the lips.

A group of 81 players have refused to represent La Roja if Rubiales remains in post, while head coach Jorge Vilda – who was the subject of a player revolt previously – was sacked a little over two weeks after lifting the World Cup.

Wiegman was praised for speaking out in support of Spain’s players upon receiving the UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award in Monaco last week, and her comments further convinced Boquete of her leadership skills.

“I think her speech was fantastic and it gave hope to so many people to really believe in change,” she added.

“It’s crazy that the coach of the team that loses the final offered her moment to those players that are in this crazy situation, to defend something in such a strong way. I already had so much respect for her on the sporting side, but obviously now also on the personal side.

“I consider her a leader, globally, and her words were just fantastic. I think we need to say thanks so many times because it was her moment and we kind of stole it, so we really appreciate it.”