The ex-Preston defender managing two national teams
The 39-year-old has been in charge of the Gibraltar women's team since 2023 and recently oversaw the first competitive international fixtures in their history in the 2024-25 Nations League.
Then, earlier this month, former Gibraltar defender was appointed interim manager of the men's side after his long-standing predecessor Julio Cesar Ribas stepped down because of personal reasons.
Wiseman - who played for teams including Rochdale, Barnsley, Preston North End and Salford City before ending his career at Gibraltar club Lincoln Red Imps - now has to juggle the demands of the men's World Cup qualifying openers and the women's team's next set of Nations League group fixtures.
The men begin their qualifying campaign for next summer's tournament with games against Montenegro and Czech Republic on 22 and 25 March, while the women face Slovakia and Faroe Islands on 4 and 8 April.
Far from being overawed, however, the Hull-born coach is relishing the challenge.
"It's fantastic," the former right-back, whose 38 appearances for Gibraltar included their first game as a Uefa member, told BBC World Service.
"It's a privilege to do one [job], let alone be given the opportunity to do two.
"It's no different than a coach who's working day in, day out in England. There are games on a Saturday and Tuesday sometimes, and the preparation for staff and coaches there is very difficult.
"This is no difference in my eyes, except it's two different national teams on different schedules.
"[My wife] was hoping for a bit more 'me time' after I retired. Fortunately, she's very understanding."
Wiseman started his coaching career with Gibraltar's elite development teams while still playing for Lincoln Red Imps and went on to coach the women's Under-19s as well as the men's Under-16, Under-17s and Under-19s.
The majority of Wiseman's coaching team with the women's senior side - with whom he says he has a "good working relationship" - have joined him in his new role with the men's senior team.
Preparations have been further simplified by promising displays by the women in their opening Nations League fixtures against Moldova and Faroe Islands last month.
Both games ended in a 1-0 defeat, but Wiseman saw plenty of positives.
"We exceeded expectations massively," he addedd.
"Yes, we lost both games, but the strides the women have made is fantastic.
"We left that on such a high, we have less work to do in our next [games], to a certain degree. We've managed to box a lot of that preparation off."
As for the men, their reward for a second-place finish in League D of the Nations League is a two-legged play-off with Latvia in March next year, the winners of which will be promoted to League C.
Wiseman, who was eligible to play for Gibraltar through his mother, says the upcoming World Cup qualifying campaign should be seen as a foundation and "bounce-board" for the ties with Latvia.
"The expectation for the next 12 months has to be leading towards the Nations League play-offs," he said.
"We've picked a very young squad - one of the youngest squads I've been a part of.
"We've never had a point in Euro or World Cup qualification, so we could really use this campaign as a foundation for the younger boys coming through and get the international experience we're going to need."
Wiseman is however not certain whether he will still be in charge for that play-off.
"I'm not sure," he said when asked about his future.
"This is something we haven't discussed yet. [Ribas' resignation] was very close to this international window, so we had to be very reactive.
"It was an easy fit for the association. Past these games, we haven't discussed it."
You can listen to the interview in its entirety in the next episode of Sports World on Sunday, 23 March.
Listen to the latest Football Daily podcast
Get football news sent straight to your phone
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Boston Globe
25 minutes ago
- Boston Globe
England repeats as Women's Euro champions, battling back to beat world champ Spain in penalties
England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved spot kicks from Mariona Caldentey and Spain superstar Aitana Bonmatí, before substitute Salma Paralluelo dragged her shot wide of goal. The defending champion won the only way it knew how at this thrilling Euro 2025. England fell behind in the first half, fought back in the second, and relied on its superb substitutes — including Kelly – just as it did against Italy and Sweden previously in the knockout rounds. England leveled the score in the 57th on Alessia Russo's header from a cross by Kelly after Mariona Caldentey had given Spain the lead in the 25th finishing Ona Battle's cross. Advertisement Every penalty from the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Final between England and Spain 🔴🟢 A thrilling penalty shootout that saw England win back-to-back European titles 🏴👏 — FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) Spain trailed for only four minutes in the entire tournament — and not for one second against England — yet the reigning World Cup winner could not seal its first European title. 'I think this team deserved more. At least not living with this bitter feeling,' Spain coach Montse Tomé said in translated comments. Kelly had scored an extra-time winning goal for England at Wembley three years ago to beat Germany, 2-1. In extra time, Spain had good possession in the England penalty area so many times, yet did not force a decisive goal. Advertisement 'It was cruel,' Bonmatí told Spanish broadcaster La 1, after being named best player of the tournament. 'We played better, created more scoring chances, but in soccer sometimes that's not enough.' Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll saved spot kicks from England captain Leah Williamson and the first by Beth Mead. Related : It was appropriate in England's memorable tournament that Mead's penalty had to be retaken under a new soccer rule that allows a second chance when a player scores by slipping and touching the ball twice. It did not matter after Hampton's saves. Spain took the lead Sunday with a very English goal — a fullback's cross from the byline finding the head of an Arsenal player to score, on a rain-slicked field on an overcast, cloudy day. The strong Spanish flavor leading to Caldentey's opener was in the neat passing to find Athenea del Castillo in the penalty area and her vision to see Ona Batlle's direct run into space. Caldentey was in the Arsenal team that won the Women's Champions League final in May beating a Barcelona side with six starters who also lined up for Spain on Sunday. Spain used three more Barcelona players as substitutes. The Arsenal forward line in that final, Russo and Kelly, combined to tie the Euro 2025 final. Kelly's right-foot cross from the left was floated toward the head of Russo who guided the ball back toward the top corner of the Spain net. Iconic 🖼️ — UEFA Women's EURO 2025 (@WEURO2025) England coach Sarina Wiegman has still never before been eliminated from a Women's Euros tournament. Despite how close she came three times this month. Advertisement The top female national-team coach of her generation has a Euros hat trick after leading England to victory in 2022 and her native Netherlands to the 2017 title. Both those titles were won as the host nation team and no England senior team, men or women, had previously won a world or continental title abroad. Wiegman also extended the run of title-winning women coaches to eight Women's Euros editions across 28 years. Women were outnumbered by male coaches each time.


Los Angeles Times
an hour ago
- Los Angeles Times
England beats Spain in a penalty shootout to retain Euro title
BASEL, Switzerland — England thrived in the high drama yet again to take down Spain in a penalty shootout and win another Women's European Championship title on Sunday. Chloe Kelly lashed in her spot kick to give defending champion England a 3-1 win in the shootout after a 1-1 draw after extra time. It's the second straight Women's Euros final decided by Kelly scoring. England goalkeeper Hannah Hampton saved spot kicks from Mariona Caldentey and Spain superstar Aitana Bonmati, before substitute Salma Paralluelo dragged her shot wide of goal. The defending champion won the only way it knew how at this thrilling Euro 2025. England fell behind in the first half, fought back in the second and relied on its superb substitutes – just as it did against Italy and Sweden previously in the knockout rounds. England leveled the score in the 57th on Alessia Russo's header from a cross by Kelly after Mariona Caldentey had given Spain the lead in the 25th finishing Ona Battle's cross. Spain trailed for only four minutes in the entire tournament — and not for one second against England — yet the reigning World Cup winner could not seal its first European title. Kelly had scored an extra-time winning goal for England at Wembley three years ago to beat Germany 2-1. In extra time Spain had good possession in the England penalty area so many times yet did not force a decisive goal. Spain goalkeeper Cata Coll saved spot kicks from England captain Leah Williamson and the first by Beth Mead. It was appropriate in England's memorable tournament that Mead's penalty was retaken under a brand new soccer rule that allows a second chance when a player scores by slipping and touching the ball twice. It did not matter after Hampton's saves. Arsenal attackers like scoring with perfectly placed headers from inviting crosses sent to the ideal spot. Spain took the lead Sunday with a very English goal — a full back's cross from the byline finding the head of an Arsenal player to score, on a rain-slicked field on an overcast, cloudy day. The strong Spanish flavor leading to Caldentey's opener was in the neat passing to find Athenea del Castillo in the penalty area and her vision to see Ona Battle's direct run into space. Caldentey was in the Arsenal team that won the Women's Champions League final in May beating a Barcelona side with six starters who also lined up for Spain on Sunday. Spain used three more Barcelona players as substitutes. The Arsenal forward line in that final, Russo and Kelly, combined to tie the Euro 2025 final. Kelly's right-foot cross from the left was floated toward the head of Russo who guided the ball back toward the top corner of the Spain net. England coach Sarina Wiegman has still never before been eliminated from a Women's Euros tournament. Despite how close she came three times this month. The top female national-team coach of her generation has a Euros hat trick after leading England to victory in 2022 and her native Netherlands to the 2017 title. Both those titles were won as the host nation team and no England senior team, men or women, had previously won a world or continental title abroad. Wiegman also extended the run of title-winning women coaches to eight Women's Euros editions across 28 years. Women were outnumbered by male coaches each time. There was royalty from both nations in the VIP box at St-Jakob Park including heirs to each throne. Prince William, the first son of Britain's King Charles, was with his daughter Princess Charlotte. He is president of the English Football Association. Also present were Princess Leonor of Spain and her younger sister, Infanta Sofía. At the 2023 World Cup final Sofia was at the game with her mother Queen Letizia in Sydney, Australia. Dubar writes for the Associated Press.


Hamilton Spectator
an hour ago
- Hamilton Spectator
The Latest: England beats Spain in a penalty shootout after 1-1 draw to retain title
BASEL, Switzerland (AP) — Defending champion England has won the Women's European Championship after defeating Spain in the final. The match in Basel was a repeat of the 2023 World Cup final where Spain defeated the Lionesses 1-0. Coincidentally, the same countries played in the men's European Championship final last year. Spain won that match 2-1. Here's the latest: England wins on penalties England has defended its European title by defeating Spain in a penalty shootout. The game was tied at 1-1 after extra time. England won the shootout 3-1 with Chloe Kelly scoring the winning penalty kick. Extra time It's 1-1 at full time and the players are coming off the pitch for a quick break. Then it's extra time: two times 15 minutes to break the deadlock. England equalizer England equalized when Alessia Russo made it 1-1 in the 57th minute. Chloe Kelly whipped one of her trademark crosses into the box from the left and Russo rose above the defense to make it 1-1. Spain leads 1-0 at halftime Spain heads into the break in the lead after Mariona Caldentey's goal in the 25th. Both teams traded early blows but Spain looked stronger after the goal. La Roja kept most of the possession and did not allow England to threaten much. England also trailed at halftime in the quarterfinal against Sweden and semifinal against Italy, but still won both games. Spain takes the lead Mariona Caldentey has made it 1-0 for Spain in the 25th minute. Ona Batlle whipped in a cross from the right, after good work by Aitana Bonmati, and Caldentey headed it powerfully home. Closing ceremony Swiss former player Lara Dickenmann carried the trophy out onto the field after the closing ceremony of Euro 2025. A large circular banner was unfurled in the center of the field in tribute to the host nation, while smaller banners were displayed nearby with 'Thank You' in Switzerland's four official languages —Italian, French, German, and Romansh. Two large Alpine-inspired shapes were then carried onto the field, with the England flag on one and Spain's on the other. Nearly 30,000 inflatable clappers had been distributed to the fans beforehand, while 40 members of the closing ceremony cast also had them on the field. The Asturia Quartet, an all-female string ensemble, performed the national anthems. Del Castillo starts for Spain In somewhat of a surprise change, Athenea Del Castillo has been named in Spain's starting lineup in place of Claudia Pina. Del Castillo's only other start in the tournament was in the final group-stage match, against Italy, when many regular starters were rested with Spain already through. The Real Madrid forward scored one and set up another. She also scored the opener in the quarterfinal win against Switzerland just four minutes after coming onto the field. Pina was decisive the last time Spain played England, scoring twice to help her team to a 2-1 comeback victory in the Nations League last month. The only other change to Spain's lineup from its semifinal victory over Germany is the return of defender Laia Aleixandri from suspension, with María Méndez dropping back down to the bench. Spain's lineup: Coll; Batlle, Paredes, Aleixandri, Olga; Bonmatí, Patri, Putellas; Mariona, González, Del Castillo. James is back for England Lauren James has recovered from injury and starts for England with coach Sarina Wiegman making just one change. James had to come off at halftime in England's semifinal victory over Italy on Tuesday with an ankle problem and was seen applying ice to her injury during the match. James has started all five of England's games at Euro 2025 and has been named in the lineup for the final. Defender Jess Carter returns after being omitted from the starting lineup for the first time against Italy, for tactical reasons, two days after revealing she was the target of racist abuse online during the tournament. England's lineup: Hampton; Bronze, Williamson, Carter, Greenwood; Toone, Walsh, Stanway; James, Russo, Hemp. St. Jakob-Park is filling up Basel's soccer stadium has a capacity of 34,250 during Euro 2025 and no empty seats are expected at the final. With an hour to go until kickoff, thousands of fans have already taken their seats. Even before the final, the tournament has broken the total attendance record for a Women's European Championship. A total of 623,088 spectators have attended the 30 matches so far, surpassing the previous total attendance record of 574,875 from Euro 2022. Skies clear up after heavy rain in Basel There have been intermittent torrential showers and thunderstorms but that has not dampened the spirits of thousands of Spanish and England fans that have been gathering in the fan zones in Basel. The rain teemed down about two hours before kickoff but the sun came out shortly afterward and the skies above St. Jakob-Park have cleared up for now. Defending champions did it the hard way England got off to a rough start with a 2-1 defeat to France, becoming the first reigning champion to lose its opening match at a women's Euros. The team bounced back with a 4-0 victory over the Netherlands and a 6-1 thrashing of Wales. Then came the craziness of its quarterfinal against Sweden when it was trailing 2-0 with 12 minutes to go before equalizing and taking the match to extra time and a penalty shootout. There were nine failed penalty attempts before England finally triumphed 3-2. England left it even later in its semifinal against Italy. Teenager Michelle Agyemang leveled in stoppage time to force extra time and fellow substitute Chloe Kelly scored in the 119th minute to secure a 2-1 win, just as it appeared another penalty shootout was looming. (Almost) smooth sailing for Spain Spain swept through the group stage, winning all three matches against Portugal, Belgium and Italy — scoring 14 goals and conceding three. Spain found it tougher to get past Switzerland in the quarterfinals but finally broke the resistance of the host nation with two quickfire goals midway through the second half. Spain also missed two penalties and hit the woodwork three times. Like England, its semifinal lasted 120 minutes. It took a moment of magic from two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí in the 113th minute to secure a 1-0 win over Germany. ___ AP soccer: