England send strong message over Sarina Wiegman future ahead of Spain World Cup final
The FA have made it clear England want to keep manager Sarina Wiegman
PA
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham has made it clear any offer for England manager Sarina Wiegman will be rejected.
The Dutchwoman has guided the Lionesses to the final of the Women's World Cup, with Australia beaten 3-1 in the semi-finals on Wednesday morning.
Wiegman has worked wonders ever since becoming England manager, having previously steered her team to glory at the European Championships last summer.
There's been talk of the United States potentially approaching the 53-year-old following their underwhelming tournament this year.
Sarina Wiegman has worked wonders during her time as England manager
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But Bullingham wants Wiegman to stay and said: “From our side, she’s someone we’d like to have with us for a very long time.
“We have always said that we’d get to it after a tournament.
“We had good conversations after the Euros, there will be an appropriate time to do it.
“We’ve got a bit of time, because obviously she’s contracted to 2025, and she’ll obviously want to have a decent holiday after this.
"But all I’ll say is we’re massive fans of her.
“We believe she’s happy and we’d love to continue working with her for a long time.”
When asked if England would reject an approach from the USA, he continued: “Yes, 100 per cent.
“It is not about money. We are very, very happy with her and we feel she is happy. I think that is the answer.
“We’ve seen lots of rumours and, look, she is a special talent. We know that. From our side, she’s obviously contracted through until 2025.
“We think she’s doing a great job. We’re obviously huge supporters of her and I think, hopefully, she feels the same way.”
Bullingham also said England would consider Wiegman to replace Gareth Southgate as manager of the men's team.
"People always say it is the best man for the job or the best Englishman," he continued.
"Why does it have to be a man?
"I think our answer is always: 'it's the best person for the job.' We think Sarina is doing a great job and hope she continues doing it for a long time. I think Sarina could do anything she wants in football.
"If at some point in the future she decides she wants to move into the men's game, that would be a really interesting discussion, but that's for her, right?
"I don't think we should view it as a step up.
"If she decides at some point in the future to go in a different direction, I think she's perfectly capable of that.
"It's the best person for the job, if that best person is a woman, then why not?
"You analyse the pool for any job at that particular time and do I think there's a really strong diverse pool of both men and women for any big national job?
"No, I think the talent pool is small for both actually. But I don't like the mindset that it has to be a man."
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England will consider Sarina Wiegman to replace Gareth Southgate
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He continued: "Do I think football is behind other sports in terms of lack of female coaches at the top level? I do, and I think that has to change.
"And also, do I think Sarina could do any job in football? Yes I do.
"I'm really happy with the job she's doing and I hope she stays doing that job for a long time.
"Sarina's doing the Lionesses and we think it's critical that she does that job, and she's doing a brilliant job. We don't like suggesting the men's team is above that. I know you weren't, but some people do suggest that.
"Sarina's doing a great job in what she's doing and we want her to keep doing that.
"If and when we get a vacancy in either of our senior men's or women's manager positions, we would go for the best person for the job, which would be the best person capable of winning matches."
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