Arsenal head coach Renée Slegers ‘really’ happy to be awarded a contract extension until 2029, and praises further appointments inside the club.
Renée Slegers and Arsenal committed to each other by signing a deal that keeps the Dutchwoman at the club until 2029 – with her original deal set to end this summer.
“I’m happy,” Slegers said in her prematch press conference. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and we wanted to continue to build. I’ve started something and I think building something takes time, so I’m really happy I get the opportunity to stay here for longer and keep on contributing.
“I’m really grateful for that, but also a huge responsibility on me to make things happen. And make the team, the football, everything around it. Make that go in the right direction and that’s something to deliver. And from a bigger picture perspective, I think if you have more time, then I believe you can do things that are more sustainable.”
‘Technical director was necessary’ says Slegers following Jodie Taylor’s new role
Arsenal also announced the appointment of former Gunners striker Jodie Taylor – who has since been a part of the backroom team at the club – as the club’s new technical director for the women’s team. The post did not exist at Arsenal women before, and its creation comes after a piece by the Athletic, with many of their sources criticising the way the club was set up. The Halfway Line asked Slegers whether the appointment of a technical director was a coincidence, or whether she’d specifically asked for one in her contract negotiations.
“Well, I think it’s been part of the plans of the club for longer”, Slegers revealed. “I think it’s really good. We look at how the game is growing, how the size of what we do here is growing and everything that’s involved that needs to be linked with each other and aligned with each other. I think that role was necessary. But, I think the announcement of these two roles on the same day also speaks for the change in structure for the club.”
Arsenal must be prepared for Manchester United says Slegers
Arsenal currently sit in third place in the Women’s Super League standings ahead of the league’s return following the Christmas break, which is just one point ahead of fourth placed Manchester United – and it is exactly that team the Gunners are meeting in N5 on Saturday. The outcome of the fixture is pivotal in the battle for third place, the final place that grants UEFA Women’s Champions League qualification for next season. Manchester United have had some strong results, but have also struggled at points. They lost the Manchester Derby by three goals to nil and lost to Aston Villa by a goal. At the same time, they held Chelsea and Arsenal to draws earlier in the season.
Slegers tells the press she expects Manchester United to come out and be aggressive.
“Of course, we see that they pride themselves on their defensive game, their intensity, their aggression,” the head coach analysed. “They have specific qualities they’ve added to their squad as well”, said the coach. “So we’ll see how they start and finish the game tomorrow.
“We’ll have to be prepared, prepared for different scenarios because depending on personnel, they might want to play those players to their strengths. So, yeah, again, and that’s the fun part about the WSL, you have to prepare for different scenarios because you don’t exactly know how the teams are going to come out.”
Slegers praises ‘humble’ Holmberg amidst quiet transfer window
Arsenal have had a quiet January transfer window in the eyes of many fans, leaving plenty to be desired in the market.
Naomi Williams has been recalled from her loan spell at Bristol City earlier this month. Slegers confirmed that Williams will stay with the Gunners’ goalkeeping union at least until the end of the season. She also said Jenna Nighswonger will not be available to play in Arsenal’s match against Manchester United tomorrow. She is close to a loan move, confirmed Slegers.
Arsenal bolstered their squad with the signing of Swede Smilla Holmberg earlier this week. Slegers says she has been impressed with the young 19-year-old so far. “She played different roles for Hammarby in her right back position, but can do different things. So she has versatility and that’s what she’s going to bring to us as well. But it’s always, you see her play, you watch video, you get to know her, but you will never know exactly until the player comes into the environment”, Slegers analyses.
“And it’s been so good so far. She’s very humble, a hard worker, wants to take in and observe, but at the same time, she’s also shown who she is and she presents herself in a way that really fits with the team and on the training pitch, she’s done really well.”
Arsenal will not have Chloe Kelly and Daphne van Domselaar at their disposal against the Red Devils. The Dutch goalkeeper is close to a return, and Slegers also had some good news to share about Leah Williamson.
“She’s ready to start. She looked really good, she had a good break. And came back really sharp. So it’s really good to see in terms of her leadership, we all know what Leah brings on the pitch.”
The match between Arsenal and Manchester United will be shown live on Sky Sports. It kicks off at the Emirates Stadium at 12:30pm BST.