What makes England manager so successful?

To achieve one main match closing is particular. To achieve the ultimate in all 5 main tournaments at which you’ve managed is extraordinary.

Solely Sarina Wiegman has finished it.

The Dutchwoman can be hoping to guide England to back-to-back European titles after they face Spain in Sunday’s Euro 2025 closing (17:00 BST).

“It says quite a bit that when the Netherlands are out of a match, there are not any questions requested that I’ll keep to comply with England – that is how large Wiegman is,” says Dutch journalist Rivkah op het Veld.

“Everybody needs to know all the things about her.”

Wiegman was born in The Hague – the third largest metropolis within the Netherlands – and was a PE instructor at a secondary college whereas enjoying soccer.

She went on to captain her nation and made 99 appearances earlier than retiring in 2003 whereas pregnant together with her second little one.

“From after I first met her, I assumed simply what a beautiful particular person she was. She was a terrific communicator. She knew discuss to people,” stated former England striker Ellen White.

“Being Dutch, she’s good at being trustworthy. She gave you a way of perception, love and keenness. That is why everybody, as a lot as they needed to win for the workforce, needed to win for Sarina.”

Wiegman is thought for being direct “however not blunt”, as she stresses, and for her calm manner on the sidelines.

She not often exhibits her feelings, though she has been sharp in media conferences following a defeat, and humorous in others when she is extra relaxed.

A brand new chant by the followers, who exchange the phrase ‘tequila’ with ‘Sarina’ in a music by The Champs, has made her blush in Switzerland.

With age and expertise, Wiegman has loosened and all through England’s chaotic Euro 2025 marketing campaign, has celebrated intensely, even describing it as being “in a film” and telling gamers “they almost killed her a minimum of twice”.

The 55-year-old even sang a music in Dutch to the gamers in a post-match huddle final week.

“She exhibits her pleasure slightly bit extra after video games than she used to. She’s dancing and singing. When she first got here in, we did not see that a lot,” stated midfielder Keira Walsh.

“She’s most likely probably the greatest managers I’ve performed for by way of attempting to make everybody really feel cherished.

“It is a actually, actually troublesome job whenever you’re in a match. She actually, actually cares in regards to the human aspect.

“One other factor that you just discover is how calm she is. It makes a large distinction within the ninety fifth minute whenever you’re shedding 1-0.”

Defender Alex Greenwood says Wiegman has a “vary of personalities” however balances them properly.

She is usually described as a “mum” to the workforce and Wiegman admits that makes the job laborious when she has to make troublesome choices.

“We all know she has our [backs] for each single second of each single day,” stated ahead Beth Mead.

“She is going to typically say that all of us really feel like her daughters. She’s very protecting over us. I feel that speaks volumes of the individual that she is.”

Underpinning Wiegman’s persona is a ruthless want to win.

She led the Netherlands to the Euro 2017 title and reached the 2019 World Cup closing earlier than doing the very same with England in 2022 and 2023.

Netherlands striker Vivianne Miedema was requested to check present supervisor Andries Jonker and Wiegman throughout Euro 2025.

“Each of them are loopy about soccer. I can name them at 3am if I needed to debate one thing,” she stated.

“They each have their very own model of coaching however they each wish to see stunning soccer.”

Wiegman’s activity was clear when she joined England in September 2021. The expectation was to ship a serious trophy.

“Completely. I’m conscious. I come right here to convey the following degree,” was her response when she was first requested about this at her unveiling in entrance of media.

She delivered within the house of 10 months.

At Euro 2025, the stakes are even larger. Strain has elevated, scrutiny is extra intense and England’s opposition are higher.

Wiegman’s motivational speeches have grow to be extra vital.

“We had a very good one earlier than the Italy [semi-final victory] that undoubtedly stood out,” stated midfielder Ella Toone.

“Half-time is whenever you discuss techniques however Sarina’s speeches earlier than the video games have undoubtedly received us motivated. Typically we’ve got gone a aim down, however you continue to bear in mind the phrases she stated earlier than the sport.

“You actually maintain on to each phrase she says. When she has completed speaking, you might be able to go and combat for one another. She has undoubtedly upped her sport with these motivational speeches.

“It doesn’t matter what Sarina says, you pay attention.”

Netherlands boss Jonker, who managed Wiegman throughout her enjoying profession, says organisation is a “signature” of her groups.

Former England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley believes she is a “pragmatist”, whereas defender Lucy Bronze says she has needed to “evolve” all through her tenure.

However on the floor, Wiegman’s profitable formulation has remained.

She has instilled a resilience in her squad, and depends closely on substitutes approaching to alter video games. She calls them ‘finishers’ and believes regardless of how late, England can discover a manner again into video games if they’re trailing.

Not often altering her beginning XI, Wiegman’s gameplan is gospel. She makes tweaks when wanted, however why make a plan if you’re not going to keep it up?

“She is aware of what her gamers are able to and units them up in a manner that performs to their strengths. She is aware of her greatest XI and needs to maintain them on the pitch for so long as potential,” stated Bardsley.

“It was fascinating that she discovered actually shortly the place Lauren James can be handiest [at Euro 2025], and that Ella Toone had performed her manner into the workforce.”

Tactically, Wiegman has typically been questioned.

Does she rotate her gamers sufficient? Are her substitutions too late? Has she solved the conundrum of groups figuring out mark Keira Walsh out of video games?

However at Euro 2025, it has paid off.

Following defeat by France, she moved James out large and added Toone to the workforce. She switched defenders Jess Carter and Alex Greenwood within the group phases, and went to a again three to convey on extra attackers within the dramatic win over Italy, changing captain Leah Williamson with 19-year-old ahead Michelle Agyemang who scored to power additional time.

“After the Italy sport she was like: ‘I did [my substitutions] simply in time’, which I cherished,” stated White.

“She watches what is going on. We wish one thing to occur shortly, however she’s that calming presence that is like ‘no, wait, let’s have a look at what occurs’.”

Former England midfielder Fran Kirby says that sooner or later “it should most likely come unstuck” nevertheless it’s essential they keep a construction, like Wiegman has created.

“It is to do with momentum, to do with construction. You are not going to get all these possibilities [against Spain] that they have in earlier video games,” stated Kirby.

“Everybody is aware of their function and that is set in stone. She is aware of her workforce and she or he sticks with it, giving gamers an opportunity to develop.”

Wiegman can also be ruthless.

She dropped former England captain Steph Houghton in 2022, and advised goalkeeper Mary Earps she wouldn’t be the primary for Euro 2025.

Her honesty is appreciated by many, however not all.

“Sarina has at all times been direct, she at all times says it how it’s, whether or not you prefer it or not, and it is one thing you need to tackle the chin,” stated midfielder Georgia Stanway.

“Get the individuals round you that you just want and if she offers you some adverse suggestions then you already know that the remainder of the workers are going that can assist you to repair it.”

Kirby went from being a starter in 2022, to the fringes of the squad earlier than she was advised she wouldn’t make the reduce for 2025.

The Brighton midfielder introduced her worldwide retirement early in consequence however says Wiegman discovered shortly what model of suggestions individuals might deal with.

“If it is not proper for the workforce, she can be direct with you, no matter what you feel,” stated Kirby.

“However she will get to know you, so you’ve that respect for her whenever you do must have that troublesome dialog. You recognize that it is not private, it is simply she wants extra from you or she wants you to do extra for the workforce.

“She is simply per everybody, no matter whether or not you’ve got received 80 caps or 5. Everyone seems to be handled the identical.”

White says that they had common one-to-one conversations when Wiegman first took over they usually typically mentioned evaluation on Zoom away from camp.

“She visits golf equipment as properly, and has communication with membership managers. She’ll at all times decide up the telephone to you it doesn’t matter what time it’s,” added White.

“She’s so approachable. Sure, she is the supervisor, however she is a human being. She needs what’s greatest for you.”

Bardsley’s accidents meant she needed to retire earlier than making an look beneath Wiegman however she had common contact all through her tried comeback.

The ex-goalkeeper was given a six-week deadline to return to play and when it was clear she would not make it, she known as Wiegman, who was “very empathetic”.

“She is actually emotionally clever and will really feel I used to be upset. It most likely made her choice headache quite a bit simpler however she stated numerous good issues about my profession. I used to be simply grateful,” stated Bardsley.

“I might have cherished to have performed beneath her. She took the time to have a chat and I actually appreciated that as a result of she did not have to do this.”

However Houghton didn’t really feel she was given the identical remedy and has been important of Wiegman’s strategy to her.

Writing in her ebook, Houghton stated she felt Wiegman was “fairly brutal” in how she communicated that she wouldn’t be a part of her squad for the 2023 World Cup.

“We had been advised we’d know the ultimate World Cup squad on Tuesday,” Houghton wrote.

“On the Monday, I had an look at St George’s Park for Nike. After I went again to the altering room, I had a missed name from Sarina. She did not know I used to be there, so after I advised her, she requested me to go and meet her within the canteen, the place she advised me she wasn’t taking me.

“I discovered myself questioning if this may have been a face-to-face dialog if I hadn’t already been at St George’s Park. Sarina advised me that I most likely would not play for England whereas she was in cost.

“She clearly made her thoughts up, which is okay and I’ve received to respect that. The issue was extra that I feel she’d supposed to have this dialog over the telephone, and she or he knew she was going to inform me I wasn’t in her plans in any respect. I assumed that known as for a face-to-face dialog given the profession I would had.”

Coping with adversity is nothing new for Wiegman.

She examined constructive for Covid throughout Euro 2022 and missed their closing group sport towards Northern Eire.

Captain Williamson, Euro 2022 top-scorer Beth Mead and common starter Kirby had been all dominated out of the 2023 World Cup with harm.

Within the build-up to Euro 2025, she had Earps and Kirby retire and World Cup captain Millie Vibrant withdraw from choice, all inside 10 days.

Defeat of their match opener by France piled on the strain, and she or he was examined in a penalty shootout win over Sweden and with extra-time drama of their semi-final victory over Italy.

“She has an incredible household behind her so she is ready to step away and never take into consideration soccer. We want it as gamers, and the workers do as properly,” stated White.

“She has that stability. She additionally has nice technical workers round her who can tackle tasks in order that all the things is not on Sarina.

“However she thrives beneath strain. She loves it. She’s so meticulous in her sport plans. She does not depart a stone unturned.”

It was a must-win sport towards the Netherlands in England’s second group sport however opposing supervisor Jonker knew Wiegman wouldn’t crumble beneath strain.

“She may be very skilled and she or he is aware of you can’t at all times win. She is not going to panic, she can be quiet in her head and do all the things she she has to do,” he stated.

“Her expertise will assist her within the second. It’s not an issue for her – however extra for everybody round her.”

Having troublesome conversations with gamers is one thing Wiegman just isn’t afraid to do – however it’s the hardest a part of the job.

She has to face questions within the media about these conditions afterwards, most just lately the shock retirement of goalkeeper Earps.

With rumours circling that Earps had withdrawn after being sad at falling down the pecking order, Wiegman refused to provide out particulars.

“The best way she handles troublesome conditions, my notion is that she shares her emotion however the important thing factor is that she has the appropriate conversations with the appropriate individuals,” stated Bardsley.

“If she’s not joyful about one thing, she goes straight to the supply. She will not beat across the bush and complain to different individuals earlier than coping with it.

“She makes positive this stuff do not grow to be distractions. There was the component of reality in her feelings round Earps – saying she was upset as a result of she was in her plans.

“Any time from the surface I’ve seen her in a troublesome state of affairs, she says it is powerful and she or he’s trustworthy. She is not deluded. She at all times addresses it.”

Sometimes, Wiegman’s composure is damaged – typically when arguing with the fourth official or celebrating last-minute targets – however White says she continues to be calm across the resort and dressing room.

“Clearly she raises her voice in coaching when she needs to precise what she’s teaching and what she needs from you,” added White.

“However there are not any gray areas. She does not run and go loopy, she’s not too low, she simply retains that even keel.”

Wiegman has discovered to get pleasure from issues extra and benefit from time spent along with gamers at main tournaments.

She laughs, however agrees, when it’s put to her that she is the ‘mum’ of the squad.

“You recognize, typically when individuals say ‘the ladies’ I feel, are they that means my daughters, or are they that means my workforce?” stated Wiegman.

“It is difficult. I care about them however on the identical time I am the coach. I am making these laborious choices so typically you must depart that caring as much as them.

“They’re grown-up girls! However a mum ought to care. I do [miss them] typically. Solely when it is pressing or when it is actually needed, I get involved with them.”

That maternal function has been essential in recent times as midfielder Toone’s father died from prostate most cancers, after forwards Mead and Rachel Daly additionally misplaced mother and father.

Wiegman has additionally skilled grief. Her sister handed away three weeks earlier than the beginning of Euro 2022. She celebrated within the closing by kissing a bracelet worn in tribute.

“We clearly have a deeper connection. We misplaced two those that had been very, very near us in fast succession,” stated Mead.

“Sarina and I’ve a terrific understanding. Hopefully everybody seems like that and also you’re seeing that on the pitch. She’s created that tradition.”

Toone added: “Sarina has been superb. She spoke to me earlier than the match and all through the match. If I ever want something, I do know I can go to her. I am grateful we’ve got such a very good squad.”

Kirby says Wiegman is “very skilled” on the pitch and in coaching – however she additionally is aware of have a very good time.

She eats with the gamers at meals, and joins in on video games they play whereas on camp, alongside assistant Arjan Veurink, who will get very aggressive at ping-pong.

Miedema once revealed that she introduced a teddy bear to Euro 2017 and a espresso cup to the Olympics in Tokyo as they reminded her of residence. On the 2019 World Cup, she had her Euros medal. These objects had been used as motivation and she or he invited gamers to convey their very own issues.

She did the identical earlier than the Euro 2025 semi-final however is protecting her playing cards near her chest: “You will most likely hear after the match.”

No matter occurs in Sunday’s closing, Wiegman goes to get pleasure from it.

Not everybody will get the possibility to defend their European title – but when one lady can, it’s Wiegman.