Renée Slegers will replace Jonas Eidevall as Arsenal’s permanent manager following her success as interim boss.
The Dutchwoman took the reins after Eidevall’s resignation in October and the Gunners have been unbeaten ever since, scoring 31 goals and conceding just five. She was named the Barclays Women’s Super League Manager of the Month in December, a month that saw Arsenal finish the year third in the table – one point behind Manchester City and seven behind leaders Chelsea. They have also progressed to the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals as group winners.
Slegers has signed a contract to the end of the 2025/26 season, and said: “It’s a wonderful honour to represent this club as head coach and I have so much belief in what we can all achieve together.
Embed from Getty Images“Over the past few months, I’ve felt such a powerful sense of collective ownership and responsibility across our players and staff – that has been our strength and I know we will make sure we drive and nurture this feeling as we all move forward.”
Since Eidevall’s departure in October (he has since become head coach of US side San Diego Wave), it has taken three months for the club to confirm a permanent replacement. Claire Wheatley, Arsenal’s Director of Women’s Football, said: ““We have undertaken a thorough recruitment process aimed at identifying the best candidate to lead our women’s first team at this exciting time. Renée was the stand-out candidate throughout the process and we’re thrilled to be continuing our journey with her as our permanent head coach.
“We have every confidence that she is the best person to take us forward as we compete for trophies this season and beyond.”
Slegers’ first game as official permanent head coach comes on Sunday, when Arsenal host bottom side Crystal Palace. It begins a busy period that will see them play five games in two weeks following the postponement of their FA Cup tie with Bristol City.
