Wiegman's New Chapter: The Lionesses' Next Challenge Awaits

Sarina Wiegman has a remarkable track record, clinching three Women's European Championships—first with the Netherlands in 2017 and then with England in 2022 and 2025. When Wiegman took over as England boss in September 2021, she promised to elevate the team to new heights. With her impressive history, including a runner-up finish at the 2019 World Cup, fans were excited but wondered if she could live up to her bold claims. Fast forward five years, and Wiegman has not only delivered two more Euros but also played a pivotal role in skyrocketing the profile of women’s football in England to unprecedented levels. Yet, as she signs a contract extension that carries her through to after the Euros in 2029, Wiegman faces her greatest challenge yet. The backbone of her successful England squad has been a talented generation of players, but signs of wear are beginning to show. Seven of the starters who faced Spain in June were also in the Euro 2022 final against Germany, and their 4-0 defeat in Mallorca highlighted the gap between England and the world’s elite. That loss also meant England had to navigate two rounds of play-offs to secure a spot in next summer’s World Cup. They cleared the first hurdle by beating Greece earlier this month, with more crucial fixtures against Ukraine—who they have previously defeated twice in 2026—on the horizon. However, finding replacements for the key players who have driven this success won't be easy. Defensive legends Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood will be approaching 37 and 36 by Euro 2029, while Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh will be 32. Other vital players like Alessia Russo and Georgia Stanway will also be hitting the big 3-0. As record goalscorer Ellen White pointed out on the Women's Football Weekly podcast, the evolution of the Lionesses is essential. "We can’t remain stagnant or keep trying to win in the same ways all the time," she emphasized. Rachel Brown-Finnis, a former England goalkeeper, believes one of Wiegman's great strengths is her readiness to introduce young talent. "She’s not afraid of giving opportunities to uncapped players," Brown-Finnis told BBC Radio 5 Live, highlighting Wiegman's keen eye for current form and potential. Former Lionesses captain Steph Houghton also noted Wiegman's efforts to bring in fresh faces, mentioning the debut of Lexi Potter, who has since become a regular starter for Chelsea. "Young players need that chance to thrive in this environment," she said. Wiegman hasn’t shied away from revamping her squad. Since taking charge, she has given debuts to 24 players, but only a handful have solidified their places in the starting lineup. The matches against Greece hinted at her future strategies. In Crete, Laura Blindkilde Brown displayed her abilities, while Potter shone in the midfield during the second leg. Young talents like Freya Godfrey and 18-year-old Erica Meg Parkinson also earned their first caps as Wiegman evaluated her options. Amidst this, stats reveal that the number of homegrown players in the Women's Super League (WSL) has been declining, with more foreign stars entering the league. Dan Ashworth, the Football Association's chief football officer, credited Wiegman for ushering in a golden era for women's football in England. To maintain this momentum, she will need to cultivate talent from a dwindling pool. Before Wiegman's era, the England women’s team had seen some success, finishing third in the 2015 World Cup and fourth in 2019. Yet, clinching Euro 2022 was a monumental achievement. Attendance at WSL matches soared, media coverage increased, and clubs invested heavily in women’s teams. However, recent figures suggest that interest has reached a plateau. The initial crowd sizes for the 2026-27 season have dipped compared to previous years, with only 18,587 fans witnessing England's 5-0 victory over Greece—nearly 10,000 fewer than earlier qualifiers. With rising competition, the success of the Lionesses is critical to keeping the momentum alive in women’s football, but the stakes are higher than ever. This new fanbase, built on triumph, expects nothing short of finals and trophies. Will they accept anything less as nations like Spain, Japan, and Brazil prepare to challenge at the upcoming World Cup? In terms of leadership, Wiegman stands out as one of the few female managers at the top level, with her tenure being the longest among them. If she completes her contract, she will rank among the longest-serving head coaches in England's history. As she embarks on this new chapter with her contract extension, Wiegman expressed her enthusiasm for the role, stating, "I couldn’t think of a better job in world football.” It’s hard to argue against her success, but the next few years will ultimately shape her legacy.