England has done it again. Sarina Wiegman has done it again. The Lionesses celebrated yet another historic victory by winning back-to-back European Championship titles, defeating Spain, the team that denied them a World Cup title in Sydney in 2023, on penalties in Basel. Their bespectacled Dutch coach danced with delight on the sidelines when Chloe Kelly smashed home the winning spot kick, marking a third-straight Euro crown that brought the same joy as the first.
At 55, Wiegman has delivered another masterstroke, solidifying her status among the greatest coaches in football history. The bare facts are astonishing: Wiegman has coached in five major international tournaments—Euro 2017 and the 2019 World Cup with the Netherlands, and the 2022 and 2025 Euros and the 2023 World Cup with England. She has reached the final in all five, a feat unmatched by any coach, male or female.
Sarina Wiegman’s Unprecedented Success
In winning Euro 2025, Wiegman has secured victories at the last three European Championships with two different countries—the only coach, male or female, to achieve such a feat. “I thought two [Euros titles] was good but she’s doing well with three,” England captain Leah Williamson told the BBC. Wiegman now boasts a win rate in major tournaments exceeding 90 percent, with just three career losses.
“It’s no wonder Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham told the BBC this week that she is ‘not for sale at any price.'” — Mark Bullingham
Former England player Toni Duggan echoed this sentiment, stating, “That woman and what she has done for English football is … to win three European Championships back-to-back, one with the Netherlands and two with England, is incredible.” Another former England star, Karen Bardsley, added, “It just goes to show that with self-belief and leadership, you can do anything when you have the right people around you and the right environment.”
England’s Resilience and Tactical Brilliance
England’s players made their own luck throughout the tournament. “I thought we deserved it more but in the end it is not about who deserves it,” Spain captain Irene Paredes told TVE. “It is about having that bit of luck and England had that throughout the whole tournament.” However, luck alone doesn’t account for England’s success. Wiegman’s influence has instilled an unyielding belief in her squad.
During the three knockout matches, England led for just over four minutes in total, encompassing games against Sweden, Italy, and Spain—all of which went to extra time, a first in major women’s football tournaments. Wiegman’s calmness in the face of challenges is what sets her apart. Before the tournament, veteran keeper Mary Earps and midfielder Fran Kirby retired from international football, and defender Millie Bright withdrew on mental health grounds. Yet, Wiegman’s tactical acumen saw England through.
Key Players and Strategic Decisions
Wiegman is known for her loyalty to her starting XI, but she made key adjustments when necessary. Jess Carter, initially criticized, was replaced to relieve pressure, a decision Carter herself supported. “Sarina told me before training that she was going to play me [in the final] and I was like, ‘Are you sure?'” Carter said, highlighting Wiegman’s faith in her players.
Super subs Chloe Kelly and 19-year-old Michelle Agyemang were instrumental in England’s knockout stage victories. Agyemang, a former ball girl at Wembley, scored crucial goals, while Kelly, who revived her career with a loan to Arsenal, delivered under pressure. “What she [Wiegman] has done for me individually … she gave me hope when I probably didn’t have any,” Kelly said.
“Every player has their own story. Every story is incredible. Her [Kelly’s] story is out in the open and I’m so happy for her.” — Sarina Wiegman
Goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, stepping in for Earps, made three decisive saves in the final shootout. “All I can really say is thank you to Sarina [Wiegman] for all the belief and faith that she’s had in me,” Hampton said.
The Road Ahead for Sarina Wiegman
Wiegman is contracted with England until after the 2027 World Cup. The only accolade missing from her trophy cabinet is a World Cup, perhaps the final piece in her quest for sporting immortality. Yet, even without it, her legacy is firmly established.
“I hope it will push the women’s game even more. The level [of the football] went up again, the intensity of the games went through the roof. I hope that will boost the women’s game everywhere and not only in England.” — Sarina Wiegman
Wiegman’s impact on the women’s game is undeniable, and her influence will likely continue to inspire future generations of players and coaches alike. As the Lionesses look forward to future challenges, they do so with the confidence instilled by one of the game’s greatest tacticians.
