England Women to wait 12 months for Weigman arrival

Hdutch manager will replace Neville in September 2021 hteam GB coach for Olympics yet to be appointed, says FA

Sarina Wiegman, the Holland manager, says she will remain “100 per cent focused on Oranje” until she succeeds Phil Neville as head coach of the England Women team in September next year.

The Football Association unveiled the 50-year-old as Neville’s successor yesterday. Wiegman will take charge on a four-year deal once she has managed Holland at the Olympics next summer.

Her first major tournament with England will, therefore, be the home Women’s Euros in 2022, followed by the World Cup in 2023 and the Euros in 2025.

A decision on Team GB’S Olympics head coach “will be announced in due course”, the FA said yesterday.

Wiegman, who is understood to have beaten Jill Ellis, the two-time World Cup-winning, former United States coach, to the role, said: “I’m delighted and honoured to join England Women next year. England is the cradle of football and the major developments in women’s football globally over recent years have been led by the FA.

“I’m very much looking forward to contributing my experience and expertise to this ambitious team.

“The ride with the Oranje Lionesses has been amazing so far, but we haven’t reached our final destination yet.

“There are two more goals: qualifying for the Uefa Women’s Euros in 2022 and challenging at the Olympics next summer. That would be a fitting completion for me of everything we’ve strived to achieve in women’s football in my home country.

“I am extremely excited by the prospect of leading England Women in the future, but for now I am 100 per cent focused on Oranje.

I will do my utmost to add another chapter to their remarkable journey before making my next step.”

Neville will continue to coach England Women until the end of his contract in July 2021.

In a statement, English football’s governing body said: “The FA will now renew its dialogue with the home nations in respect of the postponed Tokyo Olympics to take place in July 2021, as well as the 2024 Games, and a decision on the head coach for Team GB next year will be announced in due course.

“The FA has been particularly impressed with his [Neville’s] continued commitment and hard work during this period of transition.”

Wiegman led Holland to a Women’s Euros victory as the host nation in 2017 and was named Best Fifa Women’s Coach the same year. They finished runners-up in the 2019 World Cup and are now fourth in the world rankings – two places ahead of England.

Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA’S director of women’s football, said: “It speaks volumes for the progress of England Women over recent years and the bold ambitions we have for the future that we had so many world-class candidates apply for the role.

“Sarina was our No1 choice. She is the perfect cultural fit for us, which is crucially important in building a winning team. Her technical expertise, leadership skills and winning mentality is hugely impressive.

“I am confident that, together with our incredible support staff and ambitious, talented playing squad, she can help us achieve the international success we are striving for.

“Sarina will also be a great ambassador for the FA and the women’s game in England, sharing our desire to inspire the next generation of English players, coaches, administrators and supporters.”

Mark Bullingham, the FA’S chief executive, added: “We are thrilled to have secured Sarina to lead the Lionesses until 2025. She was the outstanding candidate from a very strong field.

“Having won a home Euros in 2017 and leading the Netherlands to the final of the World Cup last year, she is a proven winner and we are confident she can take England to the next level, giving us the best possible opportunity of achieving our ambition to win a major tournament.”