Nigeria win to book spot in Wafcon quarter-finals
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The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Mark Bullingham confident England can keep Sarina Wiegman until end of contract
Football Association chief Mark Bullingham insists England will have no problem retaining 'special' Sarina Wiegman until the conclusion of her contract, but confirmed they have held no extension talks with the head coach. The 55-year-old is the first manager in the history of men's or women's football to reach five consecutive major finals – including Sunday's showdown with Spain in Basel, where England are aiming to defend their Euro 2022 title. Wiegman is signed on until the conclusion of the 2027 World Cup, and, despite believing the Dutchwoman 'could do any job in football', Bullingham fully expects her to be leading England out in Brazil. '(It won't be) hard at all (to keep her),' said Bullingham. 'We are committed to her until 2027, she is committed to us, and we've obviously got a new team to support her. 'We haven't quite started working on 2027, although some of the logistical things we're looking at, but I know that her focus, hopefully after a success on Sunday, will shift quite quickly to 2027.' Should England beat Spain, Wiegman will lift her third consecutive European championship trophy, having guided the Netherlands to glory in 2017, then England in 2022. She also took the Dutch team to the World Cup final in 2019, and was in charge when the Lionesses reached their first two summers ago. Asked when conversations could take place, Bullingham replied: 'I'm pretty focused on Sunday at the moment. Generally you're normally looking at a tournament cycle out, if not a year out, that's when you would know roughly whether the coach wants to carry on, or whether you want to carry on, but, honestly, we haven't had any of those discussions yet.' On Tuesday night, after England completed another stunning comeback to beat Italy in their semi-final, Wiegman said she did not think she could distill her success down to one secret ingredient, but added: 'The only thing I could say, I think I'm always myself.' Bullingham feels Wiegman is a 'very special' coach, pointing out that 'there are teams here that have got good players, but haven't made it through to a final. 'Her connection with everyone is so special. I think really stressing that everyone is in it together is critical, and I think she's really helped build a very strong culture, not just amongst players, but the whole support team. 'I think her record individually is phenomenal. Before the tournament I said we were lucky to have her. I still feel that way. I think she's been incredible. I think her record of managing five tournaments and reaching five finals is phenomenal. 'I don't think anyone's been anywhere near that in the past, and I think it would be really hard for anyone to do in the future.' Some have wondered if Wiegman's next move could be into the men's game – perhaps even with England. Reiterating a similar view on the subject from two years ago, when he was asked for his thoughts at the World Cup, Bullingham said: 'It's almost disrespectful to assume that England men's is a more senior job than women's. 'That's not the way we view it. I said at the time, and I still believe now, Sarina could do any job in football.'
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Sarina Wiegman ‘not for sale' as FA to fight off offers if England win Euro 2025
The Football Association is determined to fight off any offers for Sarina Wiegman if the Lionesses win Euro 2025, with chief executive Mark Bullingham insisting that England manager is 'not for sale' at any price. Wiegman has now reached five major tournament finals in a row, including the last three with the Lionesses, and has the chance to become the first England manager in history to defend a title when her team take on world champions Spain on Sunday. Wiegman is under contract until the end of the 2027 Women's World Cup and Bullingham, who called the Dutch coach 'special', is confident they can keep her in charge even if there is an increased demand for her services if England win the Euros. Sarina Wiegman led England to Euro 2022 glory and has taken them to another major final (Getty Images) 'It's not hard at all,' Bullingham said. 'We are committed to her until 2027 and she is committed to us. We have a new team coming in for her. We haven't quite started working on the plans for 2027 but I know her focus. Hopefully after success on Sunday, it will shift quite quickly to 2027.' There has been some criticism of England's performances during their run to the Euro 2025 final in Switzerland and, while Bullingham said it was not his place to comment on whether Wiegman is taken for granted, he said it was no accident that she is into another final. 'We have a really special coach and we should all recognise that,' Bullingham said. 'I do think the tournament record is incredible but I also see the work she has done with players and the relationships and connections she builds in camps. It is phenomenal. 'She is just a cool head in the way she transmits that onto the pitch. She looks like the coolest person in the stadium and I have no doubts that helps in critical moments. I can only give my opinion but she is a really special coach and we are lucky to have her.' Wiegman will welcome two new additions to her coaching staff in September, with Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit replacing assistant Arjan Veurink, who will be taking charge of the Netherlands after Euro 2025. Bullingham said there have yet to have been discussions over extending Wiegman's contract, as it is too soon to look beyond the 2027 World Cup, and responded to a suggestion that she should be under consideration for the England men's job after Thomas Tuchel. 'My answer is the same now as it was in 2023,' Bullingham said. 'The starting point is it is almost disrespectful to assume the men's job is more senior to the women's. That is not the way we view it. 'I said two years ago Sarina could do any job in football, she is an amazing talent and we are delighted to have her running the women's team through to 2027.'
BBC News
14 minutes ago
- BBC News
Sunderland launch new home kit for Premier League return
Sunderland have launched their 2025-26 home kit which is "inspired by the past and designed for the future".The shirt takes influence from the 1986-88 design and sees the crest return to a central position for the first time since the is also a nod to Wearside as the white stripes feature "a subtle vertical pattern inspired by the designs of the brand-new Keel Crossing bridge".What do you make of it?Choose your verdict here
