Arsenal began 2026 with a significant contract extension for head coach Renée Slegers. The Dutch coach took over permanently in January 2025 after Jonas Eidevall departed the club. In her first season, she led Arsenal to [Women’s Champions League victory](https://womenfootball.blog/champions-of-europe-arsenals-historic-victory-over-barcelona/), and she has now signed a new deal running until 2029.
Slegers initially joined Arsenal in 2023 as assistant coach following a successful spell at FC Rosengård, where she won back-to-back Swedish League titles. Under her leadership, Arsenal not only lifted the Women’s Champions League but also finished second in the Women’s Super League: the club’s highest league finish in three years. These achievements earned her a well-deserved contract extension.
“From playing in the academy and being in the stands watching Arsenal win the Champions League in 2007, to living it with our players, staff and supporters last summer, I’m immensely proud to have shared this journey with Arsenal, a club that means so much to me and to so many people,” said Renée.
“I’m delighted to have signed a new contract here, as I believe we have so much to achieve together – this season and in the years to come. I’d like to show my gratitude to our supporters for the incredible backing you give us, whether it’s at Emirates Stadium, Meadow Park or on the road. We hear it, we see it and we feel it every day.”
On the same day as Slegers’ contract announcement, Arsenal also named Jodie Taylor as their new Women’s Technical Director. Taylor, who spent two spells at the club as a player scoring 10 goals in 17 appearances, retired in 2023 and will now step into this leadership role.
“I’m immensely proud to step into the role of Technical Director,” said Jodie Taylor. “It’s 10 years since I first joined Arsenal as a player, and the progress and growth of the club since that time has been remarkable.
“Building on the strong foundations already in place, we want to nurture a high-performance environment where our players, Renée and wider staff have the right tools and the best possible environment to deliver at the highest level.”
Source: [Arsenal](https://www.arsenal.com/news/renee-slegers-signs-new-contract)