23 August 2023 , 15:54
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England midfielder Georgia Stanway insists the Lionesses need Sarina Wiegman after their impressive 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign resulted in the Dutch manager being linked with various jobs across the men's and women's game.
Wiegman has been in charge of the Lionesses since September 2021 following a successful five-year spell with the Dutch women's national team in which she secured Euro glory and reached a World Cup final. Those achievements have been mirrored with England as she guided them to a Euro win on home soil last summer and they were narrowly edged 1-0 by Spain in this year's World Cup final in Australia.
The 53-year-old coach is highly sought after as links have emerged in recent weeks with the USWNT, following their sacking of head coach Vlatko Andonovski. She's also been tipped to succeed Gareth Southgate should he leave the Three Lions, while reports also suggest the Dutch men's national team would consider her for the job.
Regardless of rumours, Wiegman insists she won't be going anywhere and has no plans to leave as she told reporters before the final. "I'm really enjoying my job," she said last week.
"I have the impression that people still like me doing the job. I have no plans to leave. I'm staying out of [speculation regarding the USA job]. I've heard it. I'm with England, I'm really happy with England and I have a contract until 2025."
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That will come as welcomed news to Lionesses fans and the players alike as Stanway highlighted Wiegman's importance to the team, and that the women's game should not be viewed as a stepping stone to the men's game.
"We need her," the midfielder told Sky Sports News on Wednesday. "We absolutely need her. She's done amazing, with the Netherlands and here as well.
Sarina Wiegman, manager of England, Jess Carter and Lauren James of England look dejected following the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final match against Spain (Photo by Naomi Baker - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)"She's paving the way for female coaches and I think it's amazing. To reach four finals in the last four major tournaments is class."
On links to the men's game, Stanway added: "As female footballers, we don't want the game to be a stepping stone for the men's game. We're trying our best to get the women's game on the map as much as possible and we'll continue to break barriers and see what we can do."
For Wiegman, her attention will turn to upcoming Nations League matches next month against Scotland and her home nation the Netherlands as the Lionesses target qualification for next summer's Olympic games in France.