Sarina Wiegman wins 2022 Best FIFA Women's Coach

Wiegman guided England to Euro 2022 glory
Wiegman guided England to Euro 2022 glory / FRANCK FIFE/GettyImages
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England manager Sarina Wiegman has been named Best FIFA Women’s Coach after guiding the Lionesses to victory at Euro 2022 last summer.

It is already the third time in her career that Wiegman has scooped the ultimate coaching prize, having previously won the 2017 and 2020 editions during her reign as Netherlands boss.

The 53-year-old also finished second in 2018 and 2019, as well as third in 2021. She has been in the top three for six consecutive years, a record totally unrivalled by any other coach.

Wiegman remains unbeaten as England manager after starting her job in the autumn of 2021 and guided her team to 15 wins in 17 games throughout 2022. That included a run of 14 successive wins from the start of the calendar year that covered all of Euro 2022 and also took in a 2-1 win over the world champions United States in front of 76,000 people at Wembley in October.

Among Wiegman’s most impressive results of the year were the 8-0 Euro 2022 group stage thrashing of a Norway side many had tipped to do well in the tournament and the 4-0 semi-final demolition of a Sweden team considered pre-tournament favourites along with England and Spain.

Wiegman helped the likes of Leah Williamson, Beth Mead and Mary Earps reach new levels on the international stage, while also successfully bringing emerging stars like Ella Toone, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly to the fore.

England have already made a strong start to 2023 by retaining the Arnold Clark Cup and will head to Australia and New Zealand as one of the favourites to win the World Cup.

Lyon’s Sonia Bompastor and Brazil’s Pia Sundhage had been the other finalists.