Wiegman sends powerful message after claiming FIFA Best Coach award

28 February 2023 , 13:11

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Sarina Wiegman speaks after winning the award for a third time (Image: Getty Images)

Sarina Wiegman claimed the FIFA Best Coach award for the third time in her career in Paris, edging out fellow finalists Sonia Bompastor and Pia Sundhage.

The England boss took home the gong after going through 2022 unbeaten, winning Euro 2022 and bringing football home along the way. She is still yet to lose as Lionesses boss, a run now stretching to 29 matches.

Her goalkeeper Mary Earps was awarded the Best Women’s Goalkeeper title on the same night during a glitzy ceremony in the French capital. But Wiegman still used her acceptance speech to highlight some of the key issues facing the women's game.

In the last week, both France and Canada national teams have been thrown into crisis with the French seeing a host of top class players including Wendie Renard resign from international service. After collecting the award, Wiegman reminded the football public of some of the big issues still facing the sport.

"The Euros were incredible," she said. "The stadiums were full, Wembley was full and there were so many families in the stadiums and they were all celebrating football. As the English say, we brought it home.

Earps reacts to FIFA Best nomination and on season so far with Man Utd

"From when I could walk, I loved football and over the years I've seen how the women's game has grown and developed.

"It's incredible to be here right now and celebrate women's football in the world. We have heroes in this room, little girls have their idols. They have inspirations.

"So many people across the world have worked so hard to get the game where it is right now. We would like to thank them for that because it's fundamental for the women's game.

"But with the growth of the game are also a couple of dangers. Because we want to go faster and go bigger, the players become better and the facilities become better, but the dangers we have to take care of too.

"Yes we want to develop, but we also have to do the right things. Everyone who is part of the women's game has the responsibility for that.

"We are competing on the pitch, but off the pitch we should be a team and work all together to grow the game even more. I hope we will do that together."

As things stand both Spain and France won't be able to field full-strength sides at this summer's World Cup, which takes place in Australia and New Zealand, due to players stepping away from international duty following disputes with their respective federations. Canada's team, who won Olympic gold in 2021, are also involved in a dispute with their national federation and threatened strike action ahead of the recent SheBelieves Cup.

In addition, a number of leading international players, including England's Beth Mead, Spain's Alexia Putellas and Netherlands' Viv Miedema have all suffered ACL injuries threatening their participation in the tournament, leading to calls for scheduling reform in the women's game.

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