Euro 2022: How Sarina Wiegman’s ruthless European style changed England’s destiny | Football news

The stakes are high when Sarina Wiegman takes on England duty in September 2021.

Previously, the FA had never appointed a female head coach with international pedigree, let alone one with evidence of major tournament victories.

Risks are shared by all parties. Expectations were immediately high, and with only 10 short months to adopt a whole new philosophy ahead of the European Championship under the attention of a home audience, the decision had to be the correct one.

Wiegman herself had to consider leaving her homeland of the Netherlands and a squad she guided to success on the continent in 2017, in favor of managing abroad for the first time, and execute her European strategy on a side that has previously only been overseen by British coaches – bar a brief interim period in 2021.

The appointment makes her the first permanent non-British Lionesses manager, at a time when investment in the domestic game has grown stronger than the notion that the British Women can compete in tournaments. internationally, but were never really discussed as legitimate contenders for the silver championship.

That landscape has changed dramatically, but Wiegman remains completely unmoved by the demands of an ambitious nation that has starved to high-profile international football glory since 1966.

At times, the tension was relieved and the Dutch women gave the 7.9 million spectators watching England’s quarter-final win over Spain a glimpse of what complete relief looks like. like when the final whistle blows. But even then, the celebrations were momentary—a wave of emotions quickly dispelled by the pragmatism of her post-match press conference. Wiegman is often underrated, both in front of and behind the camera. It is a manner that dictates respect.

A glass ceiling could be said to have been cracked by England this summer. Sunday’s final, if they win, will break completely.

That was Wiegman’s directive. Take England from a periphery team that realizes their seismic potential and put them front and center of success in the greatest of ways.

She’s been wearing that mantle ever since she stepped into the role, but what followed is sure to surpass even her own predictions. Former ADO coach Den Haag has turned England’s traditionally bleak summer forecast into a summer filled with unforgettable moments that have lit up areas around the country – even as the weather tried to Do your best to reduce this event.

Generations of football fans, men and women, young and old, boys and girls, will talk about the night the Lions tore through the European record books when they beat Norway 8-0. They will rejoice in the sheer excitement of Georgia Stanway’s extra-time stunner against the Spaniards. And they will forever honor Alessia Russo’s inspirational heel strike against Sweden – a moment that perfectly encapsulates the 23-year-old’s explosive tournament performance.

In fact, this was England’s breakthrough tournament under Wiegman. This is where they announced they would have a fixed spot in Europe’s top group.

So were England’s fortunes masterminded by a genius tactician, or were their circumstances opportunistic, driven by a convergence of positive circumstances at the right time? Or both?

Without a doubt, the 52-year-old’s influence on this squad has been very variable. She remained steadfast in her belief that England was “ready to write history” and became the first women’s team – England’s second national team – to win a major league trophy.

Based on recent evidence, who can argue?

Her approach is unlike any of her predecessors. She makes bold, unthinking decisions that benefit the team’s growth even as they attract scrutiny. The removal of former captain Steph Houghton from her 23-player squad before the tournament began showed her feelings for the sentiment.

Former England teams, both men’s and women’s, have been accused of sticking to what they know – the classic routine. Not Sarina. Nine of her Euro picks have never played the second game of the major tournament before July 6.

She cherished her country by fulfilling her promise. No gimmicks, no PR gimmicks, no clever words to win the hearts of the masses. She wants to win football matches by playing a football franchise that entertains crowds, inspires younger generations and leaves a lasting mark on the football community.

“We said before the tournament and throughout that we wanted to inspire the nation, I think that’s what we’re doing and making a difference. The whole country is proud of us,” she said. said after Tuesday’s win over Sweden.

Her words are tireless and the impact she is making with this team is creating a legacy. A 19-match unbeaten streak has contributed to that and if the No. 20 game is crowned with European glory at Wembley Stadium her name will be written into English folklore in permanent black ink.

Not afraid to check – it comes with work – Wiegman has named a starting lineup unchanged in all five England games en route to the final. If she continues with that formula on Sunday, she will become the first coach in Euro history to have the same starting lineup in every match – men’s or women’s.

While leading the Netherlands to consecutive major finals in 2017 and 2019, she made three and five roster changes. When the Dutch were crowned champions at home five years ago, she only used 13 players in the entire tournament. It’s right there in her management handbook.

She favors consistency, but more importantly, she knows how to run this England team.

The proverbs of the times are applied; ‘Never change a winning team’. But that is not why Britain remains unchanged. That’s because Wiegman fully believes in the responsibility given to each player, and their value is nothing more than that of the bench. In fact, that’s because each of Russo’s introductions was so impactful that she couldn’t even begin.

Her theme role was ‘super-sub’ and she portrayed it perfectly. Don’t forget that Ellen White plunged to the ground for an hour, changing defenders and questioning their positional play at every turn, before Russo arrived in time. That’s the strategy, and it works. Plans B, C, and D are all well-rehearsed and could be launched at any time.

Individuals are flourishing, especially Golden Shoe candidate Beth Mead, who was dropped from the previous Lionesses and Team GB at the Tokyo Olympics because of perceived lack of form.

When asked about the influence of Wiegman, Euro 2022’s top scorer, Mead replied: “She has brought a great environment and culture to the team. There’s a lot of clarity in the way we play. ” And that identity has helped Britain a lot.

Wiegman’s “no nonsense” approach has also helped build more confidence in performances, midfielder Kiera Walsh explained recently. Concentration is always England’s strong point, not the opponent’s. That belief has pervaded every England performance in this tournament, so much so that experts and bookmakers alike consider the Lionesses to be the favorite candidate to knock out the world’s second-ranked team. FIFA, Sweden. They did so in style.

Their pressing style has also improved, a mark of Wiegman’s maturity on the continent. White and Mead were both the beneficiaries of the high press that led to possession and right after the goal, most notably against Norway.

Russo’s strike against Sweden – a magical solo moment – was possible as Walsh secured the ball deep in Swedish territory before passing it to Fran Kirby, who in turn found his brave feet. Manchester United striker. This side is full of technicians.

Unfazed by the burden of expectation, England have never been better placed to prepare for an important summer of football with winners’ medals and their first major title on the 31st. July. However, the camp is still relaxing. That is the basis of the Dutch principles and the team generally believes in that process.

Wiegman has made this team an extremely hot contender of the tournament in less than a year and knows all too well how to deal with the pressure increased by the hysteria of the home team. If this is what can be achieved in less than 12 months, every Lionesses fan is right to be extremely optimistic about what the future holds.

Football may be on its way back home.