Extending the Tenure Through Euro 2029
England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman has signed a two-year contract extension with the Football Association, committing her future to the Lionesses until the end of Euro 2029. The 56-year-old Dutch manager’s previous deal was scheduled to expire following the conclusion of next summer’s World Cup in Brazil. Instead, the new agreement ensures she will lead the national team through both the upcoming global tournament and the subsequent European Championship cycle.
Reflecting on her decision to remain in the role, Wiegman emphasized her strong attachment to the squad and the organizational backing she receives. “I am so happy to be able to carry on with this squad and cannot think of a better job in football,” Wiegman stated, according to reporting by the BBC. “Working for a world-class organisation like The FA, and alongside so many people dedicated to winning England teams and the growth of our game, excites me every day.”
FA chief Mark Bullingham praised the manager’s ongoing commitment and exceptional tournament record. Bullingham noted that Wiegman remains completely focused on future challenges despite her extensive list of prior achievements, describing her as an invaluable leader for the national setup as the women’s game continues to expand domestically and internationally.
Tournament Pedigree and Historic Achievements
Wiegman took over the England manager’s position from Phil Neville in September 2021 and immediately transformed the team’s competitive standing. She guided the Lionesses to their first major international trophy at Euro 2022, securing a 2-1 victory over Germany in the final at Wembley Stadium. Following that breakthrough, she led England to the 2023 World Cup final in Australia, where they narrowly lost 1-0 to Spain.
Her success continued at Euro 2025, where Wiegman steered England to a second consecutive European Championship title by defeating Spain in the final. That victory marked a historic milestone, making the Lionesses the first senior England team—men’s or women’s—to capture a major international trophy on foreign soil. Furthermore, the triumph placed Wiegman alongside Germany’s Christina Theune as the only managers in history to win three successive European Championships, having previously won Euro 2017 with her native Netherlands.
By reaching the Euro 2025 final, Wiegman also set a record as the first manager in international football history, across both men’s and women’s categories, to reach five consecutive major tournament finals. Her impressive resume spans her time with the Dutch national team, whom she also led to the 2019 World Cup final.
Immediate World Cup Qualification Focus
Despite the long-term security provided by her new contract, Wiegman insisted that her immediate priority remains locking down qualification for the upcoming global tournament. England advanced comfortably in the qualification pathway last week by thrashing Greece 8-1 on aggregate across a two-legged playoff round.
The Lionesses now face a final two-legged playoff tie against Ukraine to secure their place in Brazil. Should they overcome Ukraine, England will book their ticket for the tournament next summer. Wiegman emphasized that eliminating contract speculation now allows the squad to channel all of its energy into these upcoming fixtures and tournament preparation.
“My main concern right now is absolutely the World Cup, and helping this squad realise their potential in the years to come,” Wiegman said. “We have an important job to do to confirm our place in Brazil, and hopefully we can do that and give the country another special summer to remember next year.”