England boss Sarina Wiegman signs two‑year deal extension
England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman, 56, has agreed to a new two‑year contract that will keep her in charge of the Lionesses until the conclusion of Euro 2029. Her previous agreement was set to run out after the World Cup next summer, but the fresh terms push her tenure back three years.
Wiegman led England to a second consecutive European Championship in 2025, beating Spain in the final and delivering the nation’s first major trophy won on foreign soil, whether men’s or women’s. “I am so happy to be able to carry on with this squad and cannot think of a better job in football,” she said. “Working for a world‑class organisation like The FA, and alongside so many people dedicated to winning England teams and the growth of our game, excites me every day.”
The Lionesses recently secured an 8‑1 aggregate victory over Greece to reach the second round of the World Cup play‑offs, where they will meet Ukraine. A win in that two‑legged tie would guarantee England a place at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. “My main concern right now is absolutely the World Cup, and helping this squad realise their potential in the years to come,” Wiegman added. “We have an important job to do to confirm our place in Brazil, and hopefully we can do that and give the country another special summer to remember next year.”
Wiegman took over from Phil Neville in September 2021 and guided England to their first major trophy at Euro 2022, defeating Germany 2‑1 at Wembley. The following year the team reached the World Cup final in Australia, losing 1‑0 to Spain. By reaching the 2025 Euro final, she became the first manager, male or female, to appear in five straight major international finals, after previously steering the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 title and a runner‑up finish at the 2019 World Cup. England’s 2025 triumph also made her the second manager, after Germany’s Christina Theune, to claim three successive European Championships.
FA chief Mark Bullingham praised Wiegman as “an incredible coach with an unparalleled record in major tournaments.” He added, “While we will all remember the trophies and thrilling moments she has given us, I know she is only looking forward. There is no one better to lead the Lionesses into the next two tournaments.” He highlighted her lasting impact on English football and her role in advancing the women’s game.
The announcement comes as a welcome surprise for the FA and supporters, confirming that the “Wiegman era” will extend beyond the 2027 World Cup. After guiding the Lionesses to back‑to‑back European titles and a World Cup final appearance, many had expected her to depart after the Brazil tournament. Instead, her decision to stay until 2029 underscores the strong partnership she enjoys with the FA and the squad, allowing the team to focus on qualification without the distraction of a pending succession plan. Widely regarded as one of the sport’s greatest coaches, Wiegman’s new contract signals her continued ambition to capture the elusive World Cup crown.