Press reports linked the name of Dutch coach Sarina Wegman, coach of the England women’s national team, to the possibility of her taking over as coach of the England men’s national team after Gareth Southgate’s departure from his position.
Southgate announced his resignation following England’s defeat by Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
The “TalkSPORT” network reported that Wegman is considered among the candidates to take over as coach of the England men’s national team, given her record of international success and her deep understanding of the way the English national team works.
In an interview with the Mirror newspaper, Wegman commented on these reports, saying: “I think it is inappropriate to talk about that now. “I am very happy in my current position leading the women’s national team.”
Wegman added: “I am disappointed by Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave. I really love him, and everyone here loves him as a person and as a coach, and what he did with the England national team was very inspiring. He has done his job well for a very long time.”
Wegman’s contract with the England women’s national team extends until 2027, when she hopes to lead the team to win the next European Championship title in Switzerland.
It is noteworthy that Gareth Southgate took over as coach of the England national team in September 2016, and led them in 102 matches, achieving 64 victories and 20 draws, while suffering 18 defeats, and was close to achieving the European Nations Cup title.
British press reports indicated that the English Football Association has prepared an initial list of four names to choose one of them to coach the national team as a successor to Southgate. The list includes Graham Potter, Eddie Howe, Mauricio Pochettino, and Lee Carsley.
Potter and Pochettino are not currently linked to contracts with any club or national team, which facilitates the negotiation process with them. As for Eddie Howe, he is the current coach of Newcastle United, and Lee Carsley currently supervises the training of the England Under-21 national team and is under a contract with the English Football Association.
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