05 October 2023 , 11:00
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Jonas Eidevall has signed a new long-term contract with Arsenal Women.
The Swedish manager has been key in Arsenal's ongoing bid to restore its domestic and European dominance since joining from Swedish side FC Rosengard in June 2021. Eidevall helped lead the Gunners to a second-place finish in the Women’s Super League in his first season in charge and followed it up with an impressive third-place finish last season to once again qualify for European football.
Last season also saw Eidevall end the club’s longest trophy drought in modern history by winning the Continental Cup in a 3-1 victory over London rivals Chelsea, while also reaching the semi-finals of the Women’s Champions League.
The Conti Cup silverware came as Eidevall impressively navigated a campaign ravaged by injury to key players, including strikers Beth Mead and Vivianne Miedema and defender Leah Williamson.
Arsenal have got off to a rocky start under Eidevall this season however, having been dumped out of the first round of the Champions League in a shock penalty shoot-out loss to Paris FC and losing their first WSL match against Liverpool at Emirates Stadium.
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Nevertheless, with new arrivals in the transfer window and the re-integration of marquee players from injury, the mood around the club's upper echelons in regard to Eidevall is positive.
And a new long-term contract, believed to be in the region of three years, is testament to that.
On putting pen to paper on a new contract, Eidevall said: “I’m full of pride to have signed a new contract with this football club. I’m aware of the huge privilege and responsibility that comes along with my role at Arsenal.
"This is a special place with a special group of players and staff and we all believe there is a great future ahead of us here, so I am delighted to have agreed a new deal.”
He added: “We’ve made great progress on and off the pitch over the last couple of years and we are all working hard to continue that growth every single day.
"Our ambition is to be competing for the highest honours in women’s football consistently and we all believe we are capable of achieving that.
“I’d also like to say a special thank you to our supporters. From the moment I arrived, I’ve felt your warm support and it means the world. Home or away, our supporters never fall short – to represent this club, this community, is an honour. Together, we can achieve so much.”
On the extension, Arsenal sporting director Edu said: “This is an exciting time for our women’s first team as we approach a new season and this announcement is an important sign of our renewed commitment to the journey ahead.
"As a club, our aim is to be challenging at the top of the game and Jonas will play a key role in us achieving that.”
Head of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley added: “Jonas is a crucial part of what we are building here at Arsenal. He has overseen real progress since joining us in 2021, winning his first silverware and guiding us to the semi-finals of the Champions League last year.
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"Jonas shares our ambitions for our club and we are looking forward to working towards them together over the coming years.”
Arsenal return to WSL action as they travel to Man Utd on Friday evening.