The stakes were high when Sarina Wiegman took the England job in September 2021.
Never before had the FA appointed a women’s manager with an established international pedigree, let alone one with major tournament-winning credentials.
The risk was shared by all parties. Anticipation was immediately raised, and with just 10 short months to incorporate a completely new philosophy ahead of a European Championship in the home crowd’s spotlight, the decision had to be the right one.
Wiegman herself had to consider leaving her Netherlands and a team she had guided to continental success in 2017 in favor of heading abroad for the first time and implementing her European strategy on one side who had previously only been overseen by English coaches. – except for a short interim period in 2021.
The appointment made her the first permanent non-British Lioness coach, at a time when investment in the domestic game had overtaken the idea that England’s women can compete in international tournaments, but were never discussed as legitimate candidates for to the silver
The tension, at times, has been palpable and the Dutchwoman gave the 7.9 million viewers who tuned in to England’s quarter-final win over Spain a brief glimpse of what pure relief looks like on the whistle full time
But even then, the celebrations were momentary: a fleeting wave of excitement that was quickly faded by pragmatism in his post-match press conference.
Wiegman is often underrated, both in front of and behind the camera. It is behavior that demands respect.
A proverbial glass ceiling has already been cracked for England this summer. Sunday’s final, should he emerge victorious, would break it completely.
This was Wiegman’s directive. Take England from a team on the periphery of realizing their seismic potential and put them front and center for success on the biggest stages.
Image: England head coach Sarina Wiegman hugs Keira Walsh at the end of the Euro 2022 semi-final win
The great tournament of England
He has carried that mantle since stepping into the role, but what has followed has surely surpassed his own projections.
The former ADO Den Haag boss has turned England’s traditionally gloomy summer forecast into a flurry of unforgettable moments that have lit up stadiums up and down the country, even when the weather has done everything possible to dampen the occasion.
Generations of football fans, male and female, young and old, will talk about the night the Lionesses broke the European record books by dismantling Norway 8-0. They will revel in the joy of Georgia Stanway’s extra-time stunner against the Spaniard. And they will forever revere the audacity of Alessia Russo’s inspired finish against Sweden, a moment that perfectly encapsulated the 23-year-old’s explosive tournament streak.
Indeed, this is England’s big tournament under Wiegman. This is where they announce they have a permanent seat at Europe’s top table.
So has England’s upswing in fortunes been led by tactical genius, or has their situation been opportunistic, driven by a convergence of positive circumstances at the right time? Or both?
A daring tactician who breaks the archaic routine
There is no doubt that the 52-year-old’s influence on this squad has been transformative.
She has been firm in her belief that England are “ready to make history” and become the first women’s team – England’s second team – to win a major tournament trophy.
Based on recent evidence, who can argue?
Its approach is different from any predecessor. Makes bold and uncompromising decisions that benefit team development even as they attract scrutiny. Ex-captain Steph Houghton’s removal from his 23-man squad before the start of the tournament represented his feelings towards sentimentality.
England teams of old, both men’s and women’s, have been accused of following what they know: an archaic routine. No Sarina. Nine of their Euros squad had never played a second of football’s major tournaments before July 6.
Image: The Lionesses defeated Sweden 4-0 in their semi-final at Bramall Lane in Sheffield
He has endeared himself to the nation by keeping his promise. There are no gimmicks, no PR stunts, no clever rhetoric to win over the masses. He wants to win football matches by playing a brand of football that entertains audiences, inspires younger generations and leaves a lasting mark on the fabric of the football community.
“We said before the tournament and throughout that we want to inspire the nation, I think that’s what we’re doing and making a difference. The whole country is proud of us,” he said after Tuesday’s win over Sweden.
His words are unerring and the impact he is making with this team is creating a legacy. A 19-match unbeaten run has contributed to this, and if game number 20 crowns European glory at Wembley Stadium, his name will be written in English folklore in permanent black ink.
Wiegman’s winning formula
Undaunted by the exam – it comes with the job – Wiegman has named an unchanged starting eleven for England’s five games en route to the final. If she follows this formula again on Sunday, she will become the first coach in the history of the European Cup to name the same starting line-up in every match, men’s or women’s.
When he guided the Netherlands to back-to-back grand finals in 2017 and 2019, he made three and five changes to the lineups respectively. When the Dutchman was crowned champion on home soil five years ago, she used just 13 players in the entire tournament. It is directly taken from their management manual.
He promotes consistency, but more importantly, he knows how to orchestrate this England team.
The old proverb applies: “Never change a winning team.” But that is not why England has not changed. It’s because Wiegman has the utmost faith in the responsibility given to each player, and his value is no less worthy off the bench. In fact, it’s because every one of Russo’s performances has been so shocking that he can’t begin.
Image: England’s Alessia Russo scores with a heel against Sweden in the semi-final
Her main role is ‘super sub’ and she is playing it to perfection. Don’t forget that Ellen White has been hitting the floor for an hour, displacing defenders and questioning her positional play at every turn, before Russo’s timely arrival. This is the strategy and it works. Plans B, C and D are all well rehearsed and can be triggered at any time.
Individuals are thriving, including Golden Boot contender Beth Mead, who was dropped from previous Lionesses squads and Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics due to a perceived lack of form.
Asked about Wiegman’s influence, Euro 2022 joint top scorer Mead said: “He’s brought such a great atmosphere and culture to the team. There’s a lot of clarity in the way we played”. And this identity is what has benefited England so much.
Image: England’s Alessia Russo celebrates with Alex Greenwood, Millie Bright and Lauren Hemp
Wiegman’s “no-nonsense” approach has also helped build more confidence in performances, midfielder Kiera Walsh explained recently. The focus is always on England’s strengths, not the opponent’s. That belief has permeated all of England’s displays at this tournament, so much so that the pundits and bookies had the Lionesses as favorites to dislodge FIFA’s second-highest ranked team in the world, Sweden. They did it in style.
His pressing game has also improved, a hallmark of Wiegman’s Continental upbringing. White and Mead have both benefited from a high press that has led to a loss of possession and not long after a goal, especially against Norway.
Russo’s strike against Sweden – a moment of solo magic – was made possible by Walsh winning the ball deep in Swedish territory before feeding Fran Kirby, who in turn found the intrepid feet of the Man striker United. This side is full of technicians.
Unfazed by the burden of expectation, England have never been better placed to cap off a momentous summer of football with a winner’s medal and their first major honors tomorrow. However, the camp is relaxed. This is the foundation of Dutch principles and collectively the group believes in this process.
Wiegman has transformed this side into tournament favorites in less than a year and knows all too well how to handle the pressure amplified by the country’s hysteria. If this is what can be achieved in less than 12 months, all Lionesses fans have a right to be wildly optimistic about what the future holds.
Football may be about to come home.