Had Sarina Wiegman decided next summer's World Cup in Brazil was to be her last tournament in charge of the Lionesses, few would have been surprised or questioned the decision. Under Wiegman, the Lionesses have experienced an unparalleled tale of success: two European Championship triumphs and a World Cup final.
Football doesn't wait and the Lionesses can't continue riding that wave forever. As we approach 2027, England are in a transitional stage from one generation to the next. Legends are nearing the end of their international career. With her contract originally up next summer, perhaps Wiegman would decide this was the right time to step aside: life could get even harder over the next couple of years.
But that's clearly not the Wiegman way: rather than ducking a challenge, she steps straight into it, facing it head on.
"Part of the decision is also that I can lead the way in a transition," Wiegman said. "It's natural in an international team that players move on and others come in. I'm excited by that -- I'm excited to go on that journey with them."
Since Wiegman took charge of the Lionesses in September 2021, it has been a remarkable journey. The pressure was immediate: a home Euros awaited and the expectation was on the Lionesses to deliver. Looking back now, she feels Ella Toone's equaliser against Spain in the quarterfinal in the 84th minute was a pivotal moment. From there, they progressed past Sweden and then came the final against Germany complete with Chloe Kelly's extra-time winner. History made.
A year later Down Under without three key players Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Fran Kirby, England reached the World Cup final, a tournament which included a mid-competition tactical switch. They fell 1-0 to Spain at the final hurdle.
The Euros in Switzerland in 2025 had a rocky build up with Mary Earps making her high profile decision to quit international football, Millie Bright stepping aside from selection and Kirby also retiring from England. England opened with a comprehensive defeat to France and it looked ominous. But they somehow regrouped and then came the miracle run: coming back from two goals down against Sweden to win in that hectic penalty shootout; Michelle Agyemang's 96th minute equaliser versus Italy and their 119th minute Kelly winner, and then the penalty shootout win over Spain in the final.
The Lionesses used up all their nine lives. Perhaps Wiegman's real highlight though was dancing and singing on stage with Burna Boy in the celebrations outside Buckingham Palace.
But as we approach next year's World Cup, Wiegman has her hands full. The 4-0 defeat to Spain in June was chastening. It told Wiegman England needed to change things up -- and we saw that against Greece as she deployed her new-look formation: three at the back, two wing backs, two central midfielders, two No. 10s and a striker. She did it without the injured Lucy Bronze -- so this was in effect the third iteration of England under Wiegman complete with debuts for Grace Fisk, Freya Godfrey, Erica Meg Parkinson and Lexi Potter.
This is the challenge facing Wiegman over the next three years. Bronze -- as unbelievable as she has been -- can't go on for ever. Neither can Beth Mead or Alex Greenwood. So we'll see glimpses of the new England coming through, but the demand for results and expectation of success will remain unsatiable. Wiegman is proactive with the pathways, she'll know better than anyone the talent soon to be knocking on her door but mixing together generations and encouraging new players to come through and be unashamedly ambitious is a challenge.
From an FA point of view, Wiegman signing on until 2029 removes a major headache. That awkward topic of succession. In Crete for the Greece match at the start of October, one of the topics of discussion among the travelling media was just who would replace Wiegman if she decided not to renew after the next World Cup. In short, there was no standout candidate. Emma Hayes is tied up with the USWNT, Casey Stoney's international credentials are yet to be proven with Canada, Renee Slegers' Arsenal are stuttering, and Sonia Bompastor is under contract with Chelsea through 2030. Emma Coates is new into her job at Bay FC. And the WSL has just three English female managers -- all at teams keen on avoiding relegation rather than challenging for Champions League spots.
In the statement announcing Wiegman's renewal, FA chief football officer Dan Ashworth calls it a "golden age for women's football in this country". The expectation on Wiegman will be to keep those dreams going. Ashworth talks about Wiegman's ability to eek every last drop of potential out of a player. That's going to be key heading forward.
The FA likes to show its support for its coaches ahead of major tournaments. That England aren't yet there at the World Cup is unequivocal belief that Wiegman will deliver, again. It's also intriguing that this new contract will include the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. You feel she'll want a shot at managing Great Britain there, if they qualify.
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But before that are the two playoff matches against Ukraine. Come through that, and their spot in Brazil is safe. Top of her to-do list will be improving England's ruthlessness in front of goal. She'll have squad calls to make, too. There'll be other tactical tweaks on the menu. It's all part of what she loves doing. And that's why the FA is so fortunate to have their star coach for a couple more years, and why they offered her a package worth comfortably more than what they've ever paid an England women's coach per sources.
"There is no one better to lead the Lionesses into the next two tournaments," Bullingham said.
"Sarina's impact on English football has been immense, and she continues to inspire so many throughout the game. We have so much more to do in the women's game and she will be instrumental in helping us to achieve that."
