Wiegman gets it right when England need it most
Sarina Wiegman is a manager that knows how to win.
Twice the Dutchwoman has guided a nation to a European title followed by a World Cup final, first with the Netherlands and again with England.
At EURO 2025, she is facing perhaps her toughest test as an international head coach, which is attempting to successfully defend a title. An opening 2-1 defeat by France, in quite damming fashion, left the Lionesses with plenty to ponder going into their last two group fixtures.
Something had to give – a change of personnel, or a change of tactics. In the end, it was a mix of both, which put England back on the path to defending their title.
The first minor shift came in defence, addressing the issue of being overloaded by lightning-quick French wingers. Jess Carter, who started at left-back, and Alex Greenwood, who started at centre-back, were both switched for the game against the Netherlands.
As far as Carter goes, it allowed her to operate in a position far more comfortable to her, having played there regularly for her current club, NJ/NY Gotham. Greenwood plays centrally for Manchester City, but it’s a move that is more recent for the 31-year-old, who has spent much of her career playing on the left-hand side.
The result? A far more composed performance at the back, with England avoiding getting caught out. More importantly, a clean sheet in a thumping 4-0 win.
Wiegman’s second change came further up the pitch, bringing Toone in place of Mead.
This meant moving Lauren James out wide, and while the thrilling forward can play a number of positions, it seems as though the switch allowed the Lionesses to get the best out of their star player. Toone is a natural No.10, used to operating in those pockets of space the ties together the attack. It also allows for a more fluid approach, which the defending champions benefited from in their 6-1 drilling of Wales.
Their front four of Hemp, Russo, James and Toone were intertwining throughout the first half, covering each other’s positions and dragging the Welsh defence out of shape. A 4-0 half-time lead was the effect of such an approach, an utterly relentless display from a side with a point to prove.
This system and these tactics may not work for every team they face; it’s something that is likely to evolve as the tournament goes on.
Weigman has shown she can be adaptable, and she can get the best out of her side when the moment calls for it – this alone is vital when it comes to knockout football.