Football Association (FA) chief executive Mark Bullingham has publicly guaranteed Sarina Wiegman's future as England's head coach, regardless of the Lionesses' performance at the upcoming Euro 2025. Wiegman, who has a contract extending through the 2027 World Cup, has the FA's full support, even if England suffers an early exit in Switzerland.
Bullingham's declaration comes as the Lionesses prepare to defend their Euro title, starting their campaign against France on July 5 in Zurich. England is considered among the favorites, but they face a challenging group that includes France, the Netherlands, and Wales. Despite the tough competition and some significant player changes, the FA remains confident in Wiegman's leadership.
Wiegman's track record speaks for itself. She guided England to their first-ever major title at Euro 2022. Before that, she led the Netherlands to victory in the 2017 Euros, making her the only coach to win the Women's Euros with two different nations. She also led the team to the final of the World Cup in 2023. The FA clearly values her expertise and believes she is the "No.1 coach in the world in the women's game".
While Bullingham has expressed his confidence in Wiegman, he also acknowledged the importance of succession planning for all senior positions within the FA. However, he emphasized that it is too early to discuss extending Wiegman's contract beyond 2027. For now, the focus is on supporting Wiegman and the Lionesses as they aim to defend their title at Euro 2025.
Several players are returning from injuries, and the squad has a mix of seasoned players and fresh faces. Lauren James believes the team is entering a "new era" with a hungry group ready to make their mark. Wiegman also welcomed Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit to her coaching staff in September, following the departure of Arjan Veurink.
Despite the challenges, the FA and the Lionesses are united in their goal of achieving success at Euro 2025, with full support for Sarina Wiegman at the helm.