Sarina Wiegman: The Magician Behind English Success in Women’s Football
The media spotlight doesn’t seem to bother Sarina Wiegman, the coach of the England national team. When asked about the praise received for her impressive record of reaching five consecutive finals in major tournaments, Wiegman prefers to downplay it. “I find it uncomfortable,” she stated. “Of course, I also find it very special.” However, the magnitude of Wiegman’s achievement is undeniable. On Sunday, she will lead England in the final of the 2025 European Championship against Spain. When asked about the secret of this unprecedented success, the coach avoids any personal prominence.This streak of finals began eight years ago, when she won the 2017 European Championship at home, leading the Netherlands national team. Then, she took them to the 2019 World Cup final, where they fell to the United States. Afterwards, she received the call from England, winning the 2022 European Championship, reaching the 2023 World Cup final and now, on Sunday, she faces Spain in Basel. According to Leah Williamson, “She’s a winner and she likes to win. She’s very competitive, even playing darts. She has that grit. We talked about it in 2022 and it took us to the final. She works well with the team around her and empowers us, especially coming from a woman. I think she sees us, gives us space to be ourselves and encourages us to improve in a positive way.” Wiegman boasts an impressive 70% win rate with England, surpassing other coaches of women’s and men’s national teams with at least 10 matches managed. She is the only coach to win European championships with two different national teams. Her astonishing 84% in tournaments places her among the best international coaches in history, in both women’s and men’s football. In Wiegman’s own words, there has never been a tournament trajectory like this. While morale in the team has been good at all times, it is on the field where her management skills have been put to the test to the fullest. England has reached the final after facing limit situations on several occasions. The Lionesses have used all their lives, and they reach Sunday’s final against Spain as the underdogs. But if there is anyone who can pull a last rabbit out of the hat, it is Wiegman, the magician of the big tournaments. Dutch player Liza van der Most said that Wiegman “lives every match as if it were unique. She doesn’t focus on the final result, but on the here and now. She approaches each match individually. You know you have to win every match to reach the final, but she doesn’t look that far ahead.” One of Wiegman’s tactics to keep the players focused was to use inanimate objects as metaphors for the matches. Before a match, she would show a cup; for the next, a stuffed animal. (“It was a lot of fun,” said Van der Most. “It surprised us with that every time.”) They won the final against Denmark 4-2. Two years later, they reached the final of the 2019 World Cup. When Wiegman took over in England in September 2021, she established some rules. One of them was that the players remove their jewelry during training, as it affected their performance data. The players claim that Wiegman has evolved since her arrival. Lucy Bronze commented that “Over the years, by getting to know the team and the dynamics of each player, by gaining the trust of the players, you can see how she has changed a bit.” Sources close to the selection revealed that Wiegman’s methods and expectations have remained similar since 2021, although they have also noticed a kinder side. However, when tough messages need to be conveyed, she does so concisely. The key to their success lies partly in the players, but also in their tactical knowledge and their firm belief in their own principles. That combination has guided England to the brink of history, towards their fifth consecutive final in a major tournament. “I don’t know [the secret of success],” said Wiegman. “I’m fortunate to work with so many good people. Good players, good staff, good support from the federation, with the FA this time, and before with the Dutch Federation. The only thing I think I can say is that I’m always myself.”“I think everyone plays their part in the success,” she said. “What I try to do is bring people together in the best way possible. The players, the staff, and the people around me are really good. And if they perform at the highest level, the possibility of winning a match is as high as possible. That’s what I try to do.”
Sarina Wiegman
