Sarina Wiegman has mastered most things in football: winning matches, reaching finals, winning trophies. But when it comes to English idiosyncrasies and expressions, she still finds her way.
In her pre-match press conference for England’s round of 16 game, Wiegman was asked if the ‘cat was out of the bag’ in regards to Lauren James – who had played in the previous win. A surprised Wiegman asked: ‘Sorry?’ before bursting out laughing.
But as she prepares to lead the Lionesses to a first-ever World Cup final, the Dutch-born coach says she’s starting to feel “more English.”
‘I think so’, Wiegman laughs. ‘I’ve been trying to learn a little more about English, the sayings are sometimes a problem, so I’m trying to learn a little more!’
There is also a better understanding of English characteristics and personalities. Wiegman is known for being direct and to the point, a quality she admits as ‘very Dutch’.
Sarina Wiegman may not have the firmest grip on English expressions, but she’s starting to feel “more English” after two years of leadership
The Dutch national coach will lead a national team to a World Cup final for the second time in her career on Sunday
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It’s something her players say they enjoy, but have also had to adapt to.
‘I do think that… yes, (I understand people a bit better) but the English are very polite and sometimes you think, ‘Okay, are you being polite now or are you really saying what you mean?’
“And that’s finding a balance sometimes because you don’t have to be rude to be direct, so I’m asking the players and staff, you can be honest, it doesn’t mean you’re rude. Just be direct.
“You can just say what you think and still be very respectful.”
Wiegman started her job with the Lionesses in September 2021. There was a high expectation that she could be the woman who would end ’56 years hurt’, which she did by winning the European Championship. In anticipation of a World Cup final, 1966 is clearly spoken of. As a foreign manager in a new country, Wiegman could easily think we are all crazy.
“I don’t hear it that often because I’m out of the noise, but I know it’s there,” says Wiegman.
“When we started working, September 2021, I felt that the country was so desperate to win a final in a tournament. That’s what everyone said, and so did the players.
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“I thought, ‘It’s very real.’ If you want to win it too much… what should we do? What do we have to do to win and how can we win?
“To get the results, stop talking about the result, because we know what we want. I heard again: “1966”. Everyone is talking about 1966. So let’s be at our best on Sunday and try to be successful.
‘Football is so big in England, it’s so in the culture. That is an incredible thing to experience. It’s so big. It is everywhere. That’s pretty cool too.’
Wiegman has been key to the Lionesses’ success over the past two years, but this World Cup has presented some challenges that the European Championship didn’t have.
Three key players, Beth Mead, Fran Kirby and captain Leah Williamson, were ruled out of the tournament due to injury. She had to fight with clubs to get them to release their players in time for when she wanted to start her pre-camp at St George’s Park. There was a bonus dispute between the team and the Football Association, which became public before the team flew to Australia and has still not been resolved.
Keira Walsh, who was seen as England’s most important player in the tournament, suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury in the second match against Denmark. In the round of 16, her top scorer Lauren James was sent off for stepping on an opponent. England then had to face hostile crowds in their quarter-final with Colombia and semi-final against Australia. Nothing has been easy, but Wiegman has found a way to win.
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But not only Wiegman is responsible. It was her assistant Arjan Veurink who suggested switching from the usual 4-3-3 formation to a 3-4-1-2. “In the first two games we had a bit of a hard time and we had moments where we played really well, but we also had moments where we were a bit vulnerable,” says Wiegman.
‘So after the second game Arjan came to me and said: “Sarina let’s sit down, isn’t it the time to go to 3-5-2? To the 5-…” I said you’re absolutely right, now is the time where, with the way the squad is built and the players available, we can get more out of the players and their strengths in this form.’
Wiegman now faces another dilemma – whether to bring James back into the starting eleven or keep Ella Toone, who scored in the semi-final victory. Toone wasn’t at her best in this tournament before her rocket against Australia, but after that goal and her performance it would be incredibly hard to drop her.
What is certain is that Wiegman will make the decision she believes is best for the team. She won’t bring sentiment into the equation.
It says something when other managers are so highly regarded about Wiegman. Former US coach Jill Ellis praised Wiegman’s tactical nous earlier in the tournament, while Australian boss Tony Gutavasson said it was no surprise that she was the last female manager to stand at this World Cup.
But it was Chelsea boss Emma Hayes who summed up perfectly yesterday what Wiegman has brought to English football.
“Everyone in England was aware that this is a golden generation and they just needed the right leader, and we have that,” Hayes said.
Sarina has the experience, the charisma and the qualities to deliver winning football matches at the highest level.
“The point is there’s an expectation, but we’re okay with that. We like being in this position and I’m sure the players are excited to be here. Winning the World Cup would mean everything to them and to those at home.’
Wiegman knows how important Sunday’s game is. This is the best chance an England team has ever had of winning a World Cup and it could well be the best they ever have.
“We’ve grown in this tournament and the players feel very comfortable, they feel confident,” the England manager said yesterday. Wiegman is the woman who can lead them to glory. If she wins again on Sunday, the cat is well and truly out of the bag.