Arsenal have confirmed the appointment of Renée Slegers as permanent coach.
Slegers has held the position on an interim basis since October following the resignation of Jonas Eidevall.
The Women’s Super League team is in third place, seven points behind leaders Chelsea.
And after a successful spell, Slegers hopes to regain the Gunners’ dominance in women’s football.
Speaking for the first time as permanent manager, he said: “I am very happy to be here now and together we made the decision to move forward like this.
“I’ve just seen what the players have been doing and how we’ve connected with the staff, the club and the fans too. That really influences my decision to want the job because obviously when they put me on it, it was very sudden, it was very unexpected, and I was here to serve the club, but then during my interim period it started to grow. .
Here to stay with Arsenal ❤️
Renée Slegers is officially our permanent coach. pic.twitter.com/u6j53jBekJ
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 17, 2025
“You start to look at things longer term and see where we were going as a team and also the connection with the fans.
“I think I mentioned the game against Manchester United where we didn’t get three points, we got one point, but we played very well and the fans got behind us and supported us. I think that’s also been a critical moment for me in seeing that there is something we can create here. There is something positive we can create. It has been growing during those months.
“Obviously, (interim head coach) is a role I’ve never played before, so it’s interesting to see how you step into a role like that when a head coach suddenly leaves.
“I think the next day we had the game against Valerenga, so we had to start immediately. So it has been a lot of learning for me, but it has also been a pleasure. (I’ve gotten tired) of creating a bright atmosphere where enjoyment and togetherness are very important to try to empower players and staff, and it’s been interesting. “I have enjoyed my time in the interim position.”
