The FA has today announced that Sarina Wiegman will take over from Phil Neville as head coach of senior England Women's National Team in September of 2021, once Neville's contract runs out.
Wiegman is highly-decorated as a head coach, and won the last UEFA Women's EUROs with the Netherlands on home soil, as well as reaching the final of the FIFA Women's World Cup last year.
Her deal with the FA will see her lead the Lionesses until 2025, featuring in two EUROs and one World Cup.
Neville will continue to lead the Lionesses until the end of his term in July of 2021, and the FA has said that it will 'renew its dialogue' with the home nations in respect of the postponed Tokyo Olympics, with a decision on the head coach for Team GB to be announced in due course.
'Delighted and honoured to join England'
Sarina Wiegman spoke of her excitement to join England and manage the Lionesses:
“I’m delighted and honoured to join England Women next year. England is the cradle of football and the major developments in women’s football globally over recent years have been led by The FA. I’m very much looking forward to contributing my experience and expertise to this ambitious team.
“The ride with the ‘Oranje Lionesses’ has been amazing so far, but we haven’t reached our final destination yet. There are two more goals: qualifying for the UEFA Women's EURO in 2022 and challenging at the Olympics next summer. That would be a fitting completion for me of everything we've strived to achieve in women’s football in my home country.
“I am extremely excited by the prospect of leading England Women in the future, but for now I am one hundred percent focused on Oranje. I will do my utmost to add another chapter to their remarkable journey before making my next step.”
'Sarina will be a great ambassador'
Speaking when the news was announced, the FA's director of women's football, Sue Campbell, said:
“It speaks volumes for the progress of England Women over recent years and the bold ambitions we have for the future that we had so many world-class candidates apply for the role.
“Sarina was our number one choice. She is the perfect cultural fit for us, which is crucially important in building a winning team. Her technical expertise, leadership skills and winning mentality is hugely impressive.
“I am confident that together with our incredible support staff and ambitious, talented playing squad she can help us achieve the international success we are striving for.
"Sarina will also be a great ambassador for the The FA and the women’s game in England, sharing our desire to inspire the next generation of English players, coaches, administrators and supporters.”