Words don’t do justice the importance of Arsenal to Renée Slegers, who recently signed a contract extension as our women’s head coach.
Speaking in her pre-Manchester United press conference at the Sobha Realty Training Centre, she tried to get across just how much this club means to her.
“When you ask the question I get goosebumps,” she said. :Because when I was a young girl there was not much to dream about. There was not much to relate to when I was young, and I've never had these genetics in myself to really be a fan of a club.
“But of course I went to Arsenal, and something with Arsenal has always been special to me. I can't explain what it is. But I came here when I was 17 and got to know the people and got inspired by the women's team. Because there was no women's football on TV when I grew up, so I got inspired, and I think I feel a responsibility now, because now I'm here.
“I’m in it. I'm a part of it, and I feel a responsibility. That's what inspired me when I was young. So I know what we're doing at the moment can also inspire people for the here and now, and for everything that's to come. It's not weighing heavy on me, but I feel a responsibility that I'm doing this, hopefully for other people, driving something that's bigger than us, and it's reaching a lot of people.
“So yes, Arsenal means a lot to me.”
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Her new contract runs until 2029, a demonstration of faith from the club in Renée’s ability to lead the team over the long term, having already steered us to a UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy in her debut campaign.
Like Mikel Arteta has illustrated as the manager of the men’s team, being able to commit to a long-term project can be a fruitful route to go down for growth and development.
“That of course feels very good and I'm grateful for the opportunity and the belief of the club that this is the direction we want to go,” Renée added. “So I'm really grateful for that.
“But also huge responsibility on me to make things happen and make the team, the football and everything around it, make that go in the right direction and that's on me to deliver and then from a bigger picture perspective, I think if you have more time then I believe you can do things that are more sustainable.
“So the day I leave, there's something really good in place that the club can continue on and with the next one as well. At the end of the day, I'm not forever, but Arsenal will be forever.”
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