Sarina Wiegman, head coach of the Lionesses, will be given consideration by the England FA for the position of senior men’s team manager. However, the question is not whether Gareth Southgate will leave his position as manager, but rather when. Mark Bullingham, the FA’s chief executive, confirmed on Thursday.
Bullingham said on Thursday: “People always say it is the best man for the job or the best Englishman. Why does it have to be a man? I think our answer is always: ‘It’s the best person for the job.’ We think Sarina is doing a great job and hope she continues doing it for a long time. I think Sarina could do anything she wants in football.“
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Wiegman was appointed to the position in 2021. Notably, year after England won the 2022 Euros, she guided them to the Women’s World Cup final. Additiionally, The FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, has stated that the Dutch coach will be considered as Southgate’s contract expires in 2024. However, when they start to think about who they might want to replace as Three Lions manager.
“If at some point in the future she decides she wants to move into the men’s game. That would be a really interesting discussion. But that’s for her, right? I don’t think we should view it as a step up. If she decides at some point in the future to go in a different direction. I think she’s perfectly capable of that. It’s the best person for the job, if that best person is a woman, then why not?”
In 38 games as England’s coach, Wiegman, who led the Netherlands to the 2019 World Cup final, became the first coach to lead two nations to the championship game. On Sunday, the World Cup final will feature England vs. Spain. On their route to winning the Euros last year, the Lionesses defeated the Spaniards.