As the countdown to Euro 2025 begins, England women’s national football team manager Sarina Wiegman is embracing discomfort to drive the Lionesses’ growth and development. With seven months until the tournament kicks off, the defending champions are set to face Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland in a friendly at Sheffield’s Bramall Lane on Tuesday.
Wiegman’s Unconventional Approach
Wiegman, known for her tactical acumen and player management skills, believes that pushing the Lionesses out of their comfort zone is essential for their progress. “That [feeling uncomfortable] is what you need at moments,” she explained in a recent interview. “Before we go into the tournament, you want clarity and everyone knowing their role. But now you’re trying out things, now you want everyone to compete at the highest level, to compete against opponents but also compete with each other.”
This unconventional approach has seen the Lionesses experiment with new tactics and formations in recent friendlies, including a deeper deployment of wingers against the United States. While the results have been mixed, with a loss to Germany, a win over South Africa, and a draw with the USA, Wiegman remains committed to the process.
Rotation Policy and Player Development
Central to Wiegman’s strategy is a rotation policy designed to give opportunities to a wide range of players. “We play four friendlies – it gives opportunities for us to try out things, to play many players,” she explained. “We want to get as much information as possible and develop our style of play, and experience where we’re at at the moment.”
This approach has been embraced by the players, with Manchester City playmaker Jess Park noting, “I enjoy it. It’s the only way that you learn. It’s the only way that you find out what you need to work on.”
Injury Setbacks and Emerging Talent
The Lionesses will be without key forwards Chloe Kelly and Fran Kirby for the Switzerland friendly due to concussion and a calf injury, respectively. However, Wiegman sees this as an opportunity for emerging talent to step up, with youngsters like Leicester holding midfielder Ruby Mace and Manchester City attacking midfielder Laura Blindkilde Brown in line for potential debuts.
I think they’re ready. They are coming through the environment, they’ve done well in training sessions, they are working really hard. They have also done well in the under-23s. They don’t just come here to be a training player.
– Sarina Wiegman on emerging talent
The Road to Euro 2025
As the Lionesses continue their preparation for Euro 2025, Wiegman’s focus on pushing players out of their comfort zones and fostering a competitive learning environment could prove crucial. With six Nations League fixtures scheduled between February and June, the team will have ample opportunities to refine their tactics and build cohesion ahead of their title defense.
While the journey may be uncomfortable at times, Wiegman’s unwavering commitment to growth and development could well be the key to unlocking back-to-back European titles for the Lionesses. As the tournament draws nearer, fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see how this unconventional approach translates into on-field success.
