It doesn’t sound like the top name linked to the vacant U.S. women’s national team job is going to end up being the hire.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final, England head coach Sarina Wiegman downplayed any rumors linking her to the same position with the USWNT, citing her existing contract with England.
“I have a contract until 2025,” said Wiegman. “I’m really enjoying my job, and I have the impression that people still like me doing that job. I have no plans to leave.”
Wiegman’s star has been on the rise for several years now. She has been the head coach for the last two European Championship winners, leading the Netherlands to that title in 2017 before last year’s stirring victory with England.
Asked about rumors that U.S. Soccer would be calling after Vlatko Andonovski’s four-year run officially ended on Thursday, Wiegman offered a brief — but clear — response.
“I’m staying out of that,” said Wiegman. “I’ve heard [the rumors]. I’m with England, I’m really happy with England, and I have a contract until 2025.”
U.S. Soccer has not commented on a coaching search that only just got underway. In announcing Andonovski’s departure, U.S. Soccer said in a statement to media that the coming weeks would include “an in-depth analysis of the Women’s National Team program and development of a long-term strategy to ensure U.S. Soccer can continue its success on the women’s side of the game.”
That may include pursuing a new general manager, or adopting some other decision-making structure, before a coach is hired. Equalizer Soccer reported on Friday that GM Kate Markgraf will not carry on in that role beyond the summer.
In the meantime, Twila Kilgore will manage the USWNT on an interim basis. The team has scheduled two September friendlies against South Africa, as well as FIFA international windows in late October and late November/early December.
FA wants Wiegman extension
Wiegman has lost just one time in 38 matches with the Lionesses, and started her tenure off with a 30-game unbeaten run. Before that, she followed up that Euro 2017 victory with the Netherlands by taking the Dutch to the 2019 World Cup final.
On Thursday, FA CEO Mark Bullingham said that the federation was going to turn down any requests to talk to Wiegman about a new role. In fact, per Bullingham, the FA has plans to discuss extending the 53-year-old’s contract once the World Cup ends.
“We’ve always said we’d get to it after a tournament,” said Bullingham. “We’ve got a bit of time because obviously she’s contracted to 2025, and she’ll obviously want to have a decent holiday after this. But all I’ll say is we’re massive fans of her. We believe she’s happy, and we’d love to continue working with her for a long time.”
In other words, the FA knows it has the most in-demand coach in the women’s game in its employ, and would love to keep things that way for a long time yet.
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