15 October 2024 , 12:54
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Arsenal have released a shock statement confirming the resignation of women’s team manager Jonas Eidevall.
First Team Assistant Coach Renée Slegers will take charge of the team as the Interim Head Coach.
The Swede joined the Gunners from FC Rosengard in June 2021 and led them to two League Cup titles and the semi-finals of the Champions League in 2023.
But Arsenal have endured a difficult start to this season, with only one win from their opening four WSL matches and a heavy 5-2 loss to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.
Sporting Director Edu Gaspar said: ‘We thank Jonas for his commitment to the club and achievements here since joining us in 2021.
‘We have great respect for the dedication and commitment he showed to our women’s first team and recognise the role he has played in the growth and development of Arsenal Women. We all wish him the very best for the future.
‘Our focus will now turn to the process of appointing a new Head Coach, and in the meantime, supporting Renée, as she takes interim charge of the team starting with two important fixtures this week.’
Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley said: ‘We’d like to say a huge thank you to Jonas for his hard work and dedication to Arsenal Football Club over the past three years.
‘Jonas has brought us back-to-back trophies in the last two seasons, together with many memorable moments on the pitch.
‘We wish Jonas and his family the best of health, happiness and success for the future.
‘We have full confidence in Renée to take responsibility for the team in the interim period.’
The Gunners are back in action on Wednesday against Valerenga in the Champions League before they visit West Ham in the WSL this weekend.
Speaking after the defeat against Chelsea on Saturday, Eidevall gave no indication he was intending to quit.
‘You can see how the team were responding from Munich coming here to play Saturday with only one training session,’ he said. ‘It’s a very determined group of players.
‘They have a lot of character, they have a lot of heart, you can see that with the way we responded, we were 2-0 down so early in the game today and they’re going to keep going to make this club successful.
‘Resilience comes from support and the perceived support that you have. By sticking together in these times here is the only way to go forward. So of course, it’s fundamental.’