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Renee Slagers has fronted the media for the first time since her permanent appointment as Arsenal head coach, expressing that she is “very happy” to get the job.
Confirmed that Slegers was given the post of head coach The end of the 2025/26 season came on Friday morning, after what is said to be a thorough process carried out by the club.
“I’m very happy to be sitting here now, and we all made the decision together to move forward this way,” Slagers said. “I’ve just seen what the players are doing and how we’re connecting with the staff, the club and the fans. So that really put into my decision to get the job.”
“When I was thrown into it, it was very sudden, it was very unexpected, and I was just here to serve the club. Then my time as an interim started to grow, it started to get longer. Then you started to see that Where we were going as a team, and connecting with the fans.”
Arsenal are here to stay ❤️
Renee Slagers is officially our permanent head coach. pic.twitter.com/u6j53jBekJ
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 17, 2025
The Gunners went on an 11-game unbeaten run, winning 10 games and drawing just one, since Slagers took the wheel. Despite the success, it was a 1-1 draw against United that proved to be the turning point in Slagers’ minds.
“The game against Manchester United, when we didn’t get three points, we got one, but we did really well and the fans supported us and supported us,” she added. “That was a defining moment for me, knowing that we could build something here. I’m very happy to be sitting here now.”
The 35-year-old was then thrown into the post Jonas Ideval resigned from his managerial role Which was considered as unexpected conditions. Despite the haphazard process, the Dutch boss drew positives from the chaotic period.
“There’s been a lot of learning in that period,” Slagers expressed. “It was a role that I have never done before, so it is interesting to see how I can handle such a role. It is full of fun, I have tried to create a light atmosphere where fun and togetherness are very important. I Tried to empower players and staff.
Leah Williamson had praise for the Sledgers following the appointment confirmation, and expressed how the head coach had helped strengthen her “mentality” in recent months.
“I feel like before, we had a misunderstanding about my passion and the effect it had on the people around me, which would have affected my performance,” Williamson admitted. “I admire her, because I think she looks at me, she sees me, and she criticizes me, but in a good way.”
The England captain has previously spoken On the environment the head coach has fostered since Sledgers took charge, saying he is “very happy to come to work.”
Williamson echoed that sentiment: “I’m glad she got the job. Obviously, the results have been good, but it’s a great environment. It’s a great place to come to work, which is important. I think That’s her greatest strength. Or quality in that role is her empowerment and the way she works naturally.”
