Sarina Wiegman, the Dutch football manager leading England's women's national team, has navigated her role with a blend of directness and care, shaping the Lionesses into a formidable force. Entering Euro 2025, Wiegman reflects on her evolving approach, addressing perceptions of her communication style and her commitment to honesty and clarity.
Wiegman acknowledges that her directness can be perceived as blunt, but she strives to ensure her players understand her intentions. "On being direct, when I have conversations with players, I think it's really important to have clarity," Wiegman says. She emphasizes that providing as much information as possible helps the players understand the context behind her decisions. "The players call that direct but do not confuse that with being blunt. I am not blunt. Well, I hope not. I am trying to be honest and clear about things to give them context". This straightforward communication is perhaps a reflection of her Dutch heritage, where directness is more readily accepted.
Despite her direct communication style, Wiegman emphasizes her caring nature. As a former player and a mother, she admits to having to consciously resist her nurturing instincts to make difficult decisions. "I am actually very caring, and that's often not very helpful in this job," she explains. "I want to take care of people, but I have a job where I have to make hard decisions". She recognizes the need to create some distance to make objective choices, stating, "I'm trying to not put myself in their shoes and think 'oh, they must feel horrible' because I have to shut that out for that moment".
Lucy Bronze, England's experienced player, has observed Wiegman's evolution since she took charge of the Lionesses. According to Bronze, Wiegman has become more flexible, building trust and adapting to the team's dynamics. Wiegman acknowledges this shift, stating that she has become more relaxed about rules and trusts the team to uphold the established standards. "I think it just becomes more natural," she says. "You have set the tone at the beginning, how you want things. And then you hope that things become organic".
Wiegman's leadership extends beyond tactics and strategies; she focuses on building a cohesive team environment. She compares managing the team to managing a family, where conflicts and discussions are normal and necessary. "I always try to compare it with your family," Wiegman says. "In your family, you sometimes have a conflict or a discussion, that's completely normal. I think you need to have those discussions and share what you feel. We all know that we want to go forward to the highest level. We also know we need each other, so have the conversation and move on".
Looking ahead to Euro 2025, Wiegman is secure in her position, with the FA chief executive Mark Bullingham supporting her through the 2027 World Cup. She remains committed to developing the team and adapting to the ever-changing landscape of women's football. Despite the challenges, including increased media attention and the pressure to maintain success, Wiegman remains focused on fostering a positive and high-performing environment for the Lionesses.
