Renee Slegers confirmed as new Arsenal head coach

Arsenal have unveiled Renee Slegers as their next permanent head coach.

The 35-year-old has put pen to paper on a deal that will see her lead the side through to the end of the 2025/26 season. Slegers first arrived in north-London as an assistant coach in September 2023 but had earlier connections with the club, having played in the Arsenal academy during the 2006 and 2007 seasons.

She was thrown into the interim post at short notice last October, following Jonas Eidevall's resignation. Since then, she has led the Gunners on a formidable run. Under her leadership the team have gone unbeaten, winning 10 games and drawing just one.

The club were said to have conducted a very thorough scouting process in search of a new manager, interviewing several candidates from across the globe.

Director of Women's Football, Clare Wheatley, expressed: "Renee was the stand-out candidate throughout the process and we’re thrilled to be continuing our journey with her as our permanent head coach.

“Renee understands the values and ambitions of our club, with experience of representing Arsenal both as a young player and now in a coaching capacity. We have every confidence that she is the best person to take us forward as we compete for trophies this season and beyond."

Despite Arsenal's intention to make sure Slegers was the correct person for the job, fans already had their hearts set following a 3-2 triumph over Bayern Munich in the UEFA Women's Champions League late in December. The north-bank at Meadow Park rumbled as the red and white faithful chanted, "We've got super Renee Slegers, she knows exactly what we need!"

“I’m so excited to be continuing our journey together,” Slegers told Arsenal fans. “It’s a wonderful honour to represent this club as head coach and I have so much belief in what we can all achieve together.  

“It has meant the world to me to feel the closeness and passion of our supporters during this process, and I want to thank you all for that. We want to deliver something beautiful that’s inspiring and leads to winning trophies.  We all have a big part to play in achieving that," added Slegers.

Confirmation of the appointment will mean that Arsenal are provided with clarity heading into the return of the Barclays Women's Super League this weekend, as the side prepare to host Crystal Palace at Meadow Park.

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