England defender Lucy Bronze has backed plans to hand head coach Sarina Wiegman a new contract in the wake of the Lionesses winning Euro 2022.
England won the tournament on Sunday, beating Germany 2-1 at Wembley, to claim their first major trophy in women’s football.
Wiegman has transformed England’s fortunes after taking charge last September. The 52-year-old’s deal expires in 2025 after the European Championship, but the FA are planning talks with her over fresh terms when she returns from holiday later this month.
Wiegman banked a bonus of £200,000 for guiding England to glory and she is expected to earn a pay rise on her £400,000-a-year salary.
The England players have fully bought into Wiegman’s methods and Bronze says the squad would be delighted to see her extend her stay.
“We all get on with Sarina and I know she always says it, but she comes as a three-pack which people don’t really talk about much,” Bronze told Standard Sport.
“But Arjan [Veurink] is her right-hand man and is the mastermind as well. And then Anja [van Ginhoven], who keeps Sarina organised. The three of them are an incredible team and I can see why Sarina brought them with her to England.
“It would be fantastic to have all three of them with us for as long as possible, as long as we keep being successful.”
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham hopes Wiegman will stay with England “for a long time”.
“She is incredible,” he said. “She was our No1 target and she was just brilliant all through that process. We were delighted to secure her, even though in our wildest dreams, we thought this tournament might be too early.
“She only signed in September but we would love her to be with us for a long time. She’s a really special person and a really special talent.”
The FA are determined to build on the success of Euro 2022 as they try to grow the women’s game in England.
The Lionesses drew nearly 90,000 to Wembley for the final and Bronze is keen for more games there, as well as taking the team around the country too.
“Both would be fantastic, Wembley is great,” she said. “On Sunday the fact that we’ve been able to play at Wembley so much was an advantage for us.
“I think the fact our players are so used to being there really helped and settled the nerves. But also the support we have had around the country has been amazing. Old Trafford is a night that almost topped what happened yesterday.
All these amazing stadiums that we’ve got, it would be amazing to travel the country.
“Obviously we have got so many northerners and people all around. Like I know for myself I’d love to play at St. James’ Park.
“We loved to play at Anfield, Goodison Park, all these amazing stadiums that we’ve got in England. It would be amazing to travel the country and maybe give that a go.”
England players celebrated their triumph by partying at their team hotel, the Lensbury, on Sunday night before heading to Trafalgar Square yesterday, where they were greeted by about 7,000 supporters.
“I think most of us only got a couple of hours sleep, hence the sunglasses,” said Bronze.
“The last message I sent on my phone was at four o’clock in the morning. It didn’t make much sense. But I feel like I’m on top of the world.”
