Sarina Wiegman - the architect of English women's football

By leading England to defeat world champions Spain in the Euro 2025 final, coach Sarina Wiegman has redrawn the map of European women's football.

The history of women's football in the old continent really turned a new page when England won the Euro 2025 championship after a thrilling final match with Spain. Behind that glorious achievement were not only the victories of a lifetime, the goals that went down in history, but also the story of the "magic wand" in the hands of Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch woman who wrote fairy tales in the 21st century.

Don't be afraid of change

Sarina Wiegman is not a strange name in the women's football world. Having won Euro 2017 with the Netherlands and then 2 years later brought this team to the final of the 2019 World Cup, the talented female captain of the land of tulips accepted to lead the England team with the hope of reviving a team with great potential but always lacking in courage in major tournaments.

The two Euro 2022 and Euro 2025 championships, interspersed with the runner-up position in the 2023 World Cup, are "unprecedented" achievements that the English football community has never thought of, since the 1966 World Cup championship of the foggy country's men's team. For Wiegman, football is not just about tactics. It is careful preparation down to every detail, the connection between people, the ability to adapt to every situation.

She is not afraid of change, not afraid to bet on each match and most importantly, she always makes her students feel that they are truly valuable.

The Euro 2025 final is a testament to Sarina Wiegman's strategic thinking. While the media and experts all focused on Lauren James, the promising young star of the England team's attack, Wiegman quietly prepared a "Plan B".

When James was forced off before half-time with a fitness issue, Wiegman brought Chloe Kelly into the mix. From that point on, Spain lost control. The replacement, Chloe Kelly, made the difference with her pace, her ability to run the ball and her ability to handle key moments.

As the author of the decisive goal in extra time of the Euro 2022 final to bring the first championship to England, Chloe Kelly was chosen by history through Wiegman's bold use of people. She assisted the "pass of a lifetime" for Alessia Russo to equalize 1-1 and in the penalty shootout, the star who signed a permanent contract with Arsenal scored the decisive kick in the 5th round, bringing the "Lionesses" a 3-1 victory and the Euro 2025 title.

Sarina Wiegman and her students rejoice after winning Euro 2025. Photo: UEFA

One coach - two golden generations

It is no coincidence that Wiegman is the first coach in history to take two different teams to five consecutive major finals, winning three titles. What is special is that neither the Netherlands nor England are traditional powers like the US, Germany or Sweden in women's football.

In Holland, she nurtured a golden generation of unknown youngsters into European champions. In England, she did the same thing, but with greater speed, more methodical and with a more profound social impact.

Under Wiegman, England women have not only won trophies but also presented a positive, professional, confident and approachable image. She has transformed them from a team of potential to an unbeatable collective, not just through tactics but through a culture where every player knows their role and is willing to fight for each other.

The English Football Association (FA) has confirmed early on that Wiegman will continue to lead the team until at least 2027. After winning the Euro 2025 championship, FA Chairman Mark Bullingham declared: "We never intended to let Sarina go. She is part of the future of English football."

In just a short time, Sarina Wiegman has built an "empire" with composure, courage and precision in every decision. It is the flexible way of using people, knowing how to exploit each small strength of the players to serve the big tactical intention, that has created the Sarina Wiegman brand.

In just four years, Wiegman has revolutionized the tactical thinking, competitive psychology and internal culture of the Three Lions.

At 55, Sarina Wiegman is at the peak of her career. Looking at her quiet celebration on the sidelines, one knows that the game of football is writing another chapter in the book of success that she is the author of. This calm, determined and talented Dutchwoman always carries with her the will to win and the path to success is clearly and long-lastingly depicted.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/sarina-wiegman-kien-truc-su-cua-bong-da-nu-anh-196250802184650482.htm