Arsenal Head Coach Renee Slegers has paid tribute to Beth Mead, who will leave the club this summer when her contract expires. Arsenal confirmed the decision this week with Mead set to play in front of the Emirates crowd for the final time as an Arsenal player on Wednesday evening at Emirates Stadium.
Asked whether she could put Mead’s Arsenal legacy into words, Slegers said, ‘No, and I haven’t been part of her whole journey at Arsenal. I’ve seen it from the outside. I’ve been part of it. I’ve been lucky to be part of it the last couple of years. She’s an amazing character.
‘She has something special on and off the pitch. There’s so many sides to Beth. I think that there’s a lot of joy and happiness for the game. She always brings energy to a team. She brings lightness to the room when it’s needed. She brings honesty when it’s needed.
‘There’s a lot of intelligence on the pitch. And of course, you can see that in the stats, the amazing stats throughout her time at Arsenal. So, yeah, for me, it’s been a privilege to work with Beth. Every day of it was joyful, even though there’s always hard times when you’re in a team and you’re working with people. But so much respect for Beth and what she’s done for the club.’
Slegers says Mead’s ability to ride the highs and lows of sport and life set her apart, ‘She just keeps on coming back. And she’s gone through a lot in life, which sometimes feels unfair as well. Of course, the loss of her mum. And how strong she’s been and how she then can be that person that will still be there for others and is driving the team forwards and bringing the energy every single day.
‘I’m really impressed because the things that she’s gone through, it’s not easy. And how she’s picked herself up and how she’s been so strong, her resilience in setbacks and in hard moments, it’s been so impressive. So looking at her and what she’s brought to the team, I think she’s been spreading that into the team.
‘I think she’s not only been an inspiration for me, but also for many others, hopefully. And what I see also for a lot of fans, in that sense, who she is as the person in the background, but also the football that she’s played for Arsenal. She’s not done yet. There’s two more games to play. Huge respect for Beth and who she is. And I’ve learned so many things from her.’
Our understanding is that Arsenal did offer Mead a new contract, however, Manchester City are offering a longer deal. The club did also accept a big offer from London City Lionesses for the player last summer and Slegers insists dialogue between her and Mead has always been honest and open.
‘Me and Beth always have had really honest and transparent conversations. There has been conversations with the club as well. This is the outcome. And I think what Beth and me have shared with each other stays in the room and is private information.
‘But a lot of respect for Beth and how we’ve both been honest in our collaboration and it’s been a long time for her at Arsenal and she’s done so much for the club. So, it’s going to be strange to see her in another shirt. But we’re grateful, the club is grateful for all the time that we’ve had with Beth and let’s make it to really good games the last two.’