Sarina Wiegman admits she's not the same manager who arrived in England nearly four years ago with a strict rulebook. The Dutch mastermind has evolved alongside the women's game, creating a more organic relationship with her players.
When Wiegman first took charge, she banned smartwatches and rings, insisting the team would handle health monitoring themselves. This didn't exactly thrill the Lionesses at first.
"I've become a little bit older too, with more experiences in football and in life," Wiegman explained ahead of England's Euro title defense. "My approach is the same, I just worry a little bit less. In the beginning, I wanted to solve everything, but you can't – as a coach, you just have to let go."
Tournament Specialist Ready for Another Run
Wiegman's tournament record speaks for itself. She led the Netherlands to Euro glory in 2017 and a World Cup final in 2019 before guiding England to their historic Euro 2022 triumph and first-ever Women's World Cup final in 2023.
What's her secret? "You need players that score goals and prevent goals. That's very basic," she said with characteristic directness. "But that's what we're trying to do, create that environment, trying to be the best prepared, and you need a little bit of luck."
The Lionesses begin their Group D campaign against France in Zurich on Saturday. Bettors should note this England squad features seven tournament debutants, with players dubbing themselves "new England" – a factor that could impact early performances.
Honest Leadership Driving Success
While some might call Wiegman blunt, she prefers "clear and honest." This direct approach has earned her players' trust, even when delivering tough news.
"Players know where they stand," midfielder Georgia Stanway recently told reporters. "She always says it the way it is, whether you like it or not."
Wiegman admits cutting players is her least favorite part of the job. "I'm very caring, and that's something not very helpful in this job. As a former player, maybe as a mum, I'm trying not to play into that. I need to shut that out."
The Dutch coach has embraced British culture, especially its sporting passion. "All day on TV there's sports. And football is huge. In every part of the country, you have people that really support one club and it's just their life."
For those considering wagers on the tournament, Wiegman's record makes England favorites despite their squad changes. However, their opening match against France represents one of the toughest Group D challenges and could set the tone for their campaign.
When asked if winning Euro 2024 would be her greatest achievement, Wiegman remained focused: "Every tournament on its own is a great achievement. Hopefully we can do that six games in a row."
