Ahead of Arsenal’s game against Manchester United at the Emirates following the WSL winter break, discussions over handing the Arsenal head coach a new deal have reached their conclusion.
Renee Slegers was appointed permanently in January 2025 when she was promptly rewarded for her successful unbeaten spell as interim head coach, when predecessor Jonas Eidevall tendered his resignation.
She then led Arsenal’s triumphant Champions League victory over defending champions Barcelona to end an 18-year wait to lift Europe’s premium title.
Arsenal envision a bright future under Slegers, 36, with her tactical style and player-management skills.
The ultimate goal will be to topple Chelsea and perhaps Manchester City from their perch at the top of WSL, something which may evade them this time out with an eight-point gap at the halfway point to Andree Jeglertz’s Manchester City side already.
Saturday afternoon’s fixture against fellow Champions League hunters Manchester United, therefore, seems to have more at stake compared to when they shared the points in a goalless draw earlier in the season.
The Gunners may be condemned to bridesmaids domestically again with the headstart The Citizens have, yet Slegers was enthusiastic about the future and the five competitions Arsenal have to fight for.
She was, crucially, excited by the prospect of several years at the helm rather than a short-term contract renewal.
“You can’t build something overnight or in a couple of weeks. It takes time, so I’m really happy that we’re committed now. I’m committed to the club as much as I can. I have the time now to continue to build.”
Since sustaining a serious injury, which unfortunately closed the book on her playing career that Arsenal helped to launch, her journey into one of the most prestigious managerial jobs in Europe has been inspiring.
Slegers not only views her latest achievement as reflective of her own dedication to grow in the sport, but also credited how women’s football has evolved particularly through Arsenal’s pedigree.
Her responsibility has deservedly escalated to reach this point, and her objectives go beyond the material successes. Instead, she emphasised making a lasting impact.
“When I was a young girl there was not much to dream about. There was not much to relate to when I was young. Something with Arsenal has always been special to me, I can’t explain what it is. I went 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.
“I got inspired and I think I feel a responsibility now, because now I'm here. And I feel a sense of responsibility for 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 wearing heavy on me, but I feel a responsibility that I have to, that I'm doing this hopefully for other people, driving something that's bigger than me, than us, and it's reaching a lot of people.”