In the wake of a stunning 5-0 victory over Brighton, Arsenal’s interim manager Renee Slegers expressed her belief that the emphatic win would ease some of the pressure on the team as they head into crucial upcoming fixtures. However, despite her success at the helm, the Dutch coach made it clear that she has no interest in taking on the head coach role permanently.
A Commanding Performance
Friday night’s match saw the Gunners secure their most dominant win of the Women’s Super League (WSL) season thus far. Five different players found the back of the net, with Beth Mead opening the scoring within the first ten minutes. Caitlin Foord and Frida Maanum quickly followed suit, extending Arsenal’s lead. Substitute Lina Hurtig added a fourth goal in the 76th minute, and Alessia Russo sealed the deal with a stoppage-time penalty, handing Brighton their first defeat of the season.
The resounding victory comes as a much-needed boost for Arsenal, who had been struggling to find their footing in the early stages of the season. Prior to this match, the Gunners had only managed to accumulate five points from their opening four games. Slegers, who stepped into the role of interim manager following the resignation of Jonas Eidevall last month, believes that this result will provide the team with the momentum they need as they prepare to face Juventus in the Champions League and their fierce rivals Tottenham in the highly anticipated north London derby.
Tactical Adjustments Pay Off
Slegers attributed the team’s success to the tactical adjustments made during training sessions leading up to the match. Last weekend, following a disappointing 1-1 draw with Manchester United in which they conceded a late equalizer, the interim manager acknowledged that the team needed to show more intent in the final third. The focus on attacking play and defending in the penalty areas during the two days leading up to the Brighton clash proved to be the key to unlocking their goalscoring potential.
Credit to them because they have been working really hard and taking things on board. Essentially what we focused on the last two days was how we attack and defend the boxes, it has been a big theme in our last couple of days and I am really happy we see that in the game.
– Renee Slegers
The Dutch coach also highlighted the significance of having five different forwards find the scoresheet, stating that it was “very good” for the team. She praised the players for their hard work and willingness to implement the strategies discussed in training, acknowledging that while it may not always be as straightforward as seeing immediate results, the rewards will come with consistency and persistence.
Slegers Not Interested in Permanent Role
Despite her success as interim manager, Slegers made it clear that she is not interested in taking on the head coach role on a permanent basis. When asked if she would consider the position, she responded with a firm “No, I am really not.” This comes as a surprise to some fans who have expressed their desire to see Slegers appointed as the long-term solution, even going as far as to bring a “In Renee we trust” banner to the match.
Slegers explained that while she enjoys the role and wants to help the team move forward and develop individual players, her focus remains on creating a strong foundation for whoever takes over as the permanent head coach. She emphasized the importance of staying in the moment and doing everything possible to achieve positive results during this transitional period.
I enjoy the role, I want to help the team go forwards, to develop individuals which was my role before and now to try to help develop the team as well. Whoever comes next, I work hard to create a good setup so that is really important but what is also important is that we are in the moment now in this block and doing all we can to get results.
– Renee Slegers
The Search Continues
Arsenal’s search for a permanent replacement for Jonas Eidevall is ongoing, with the club’s initial main target, NYCFC head coach Nick Cushing, ruling himself out of the running. While Slegers’ undefeated record as interim manager puts her in a strong position to lead the side on a long-term basis, her lack of interest in the role means that the Gunners will need to continue their pursuit of a suitable candidate.
As Arsenal prepares for their upcoming challenges, including the Champions League clash with Juventus and the highly anticipated north London derby against Tottenham, Slegers will be tasked with keeping the team focused and maintaining the momentum gained from their impressive win over Brighton. With the pressure somewhat alleviated, the Gunners will be looking to build upon this success and establish themselves as serious contenders in both domestic and European competitions.
The coming weeks will be crucial for Arsenal as they navigate a congested fixture list and aim to secure positive results against formidable opposition. As the search for a permanent head coach continues, Renee Slegers will play a vital role in steering the team through this transitional period and laying the groundwork for future success, even if she has no intention of taking on the job herself in the long run.
