Sarina Wiegman's genius and faith in 'finishers' make her the Lionesses' true star
Sarina Wiegman is celebrating a third European Championships win and a second with England, and the manager's impact can be felt through the whole squad. Dutch coach Wiegman took the England job after winning Euro 2017 and reaching the 2019 World Cup final with her home country, but admitted before the 2025 final that she had fallen in love with her new adopted home.
The FA handed her a contract extension in 2024, keeping her in the dugout until after the 2027 World Cup. And that looks like a better piece of business with each passing day. 'She is bloody amazing,' match-winner Chloe Kelly said of the boss.
'She is an incredible woman. What she has done for this country, we should all be so grateful for. What she has done for me, individually, she gave me hope, when I probably didn't have any.
"She gave me an opportunity to represent my country again. I knew that I had to get game time, because representing England is never a given.
"But what she has done for the women's game, not just in England, she has taken it to a whole other level. The work doesn't go unnoticed from the staff that are behind her, they are incredible people and I am so grateful to have worked with such amazing staff members.'
Two themes have run through England's Euro 2025 success - the impact of Wiegman's 'finishers' and a refusal to give up however hopeless things might look. Coming from some managers, the 'finishers' tag for substitutes might feel patronising.
When the word comes from Wiegman's mouth, though, it's nothing of the sort. And that's how you get a team to come back from the brink so many times.
After losing to France at the start of the tournament, England might have let their heads drop. Instead, they responded in ruthless fashion, putting four goals past the Netherlands and six past Wales to reach the quarter-finals.
With 20 minutes left to score two goals against Sweden, Wiegman turned to those finishers. They knew their jobs and they had their manager's faith, with Kelly, Beth Mead and Michelle Agyemang all involved as the Lionesses dragged themselves into extra-time.
When the board went up to show seven added minutes against Italy in the semis, Agyemang stepped up again to force extra-time and Kelly fired home the winner.
With Wiegman in the dugout, why would there be any need to worry against world champions Spain? Even after going in 1-0 down at the break after being second-best for 45 minutes. England knew they could come back because they have come back before, and surely they will come back again.
'It has been incredible, around in the camp, the training sessions, everything around the team was very calm,' Wiegman said. 'You might not think that, but it was all very calm. Just the games were chaotic and very close and tight and we were behind in a lot the games.'
After the semi-final win over Italy, Wiegman said she felt like she was in a movie, but on Sunday - when asked if there were plans to relive it all - she admitted 'I don't watch movies back so often.' Truth be told, there's no need to watch the movie back over and over when you're the star.
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