Before she became a manager, Sarina Wiegman played as a midfielder, gaining 104 caps for the Netherlands, becoming the first female player to reach over 100 appearances. Surprisingly, Sarina kept her job as a physical education teacher at a secondary school at the same time as her football career was blossoming.

Sarina Wiegman | International Career

Her debut in the Netherlands international team came when she was just 17 years old against Norway; she would go on to play at the FIFA Women’s Invitation Tournament 1988 where Netherlands reached the quarterfinals. She was also part of the team that saw them reach the quarterfinals of the 1989, 91, and 93 European Championships. She played her final game in 2001 before retiring from active playing.

Sarina Wiegman | Coaching Career

Her coaching career started with the girls’ grassroots teams in the Hague before she moved to her former club Ter Leede. She led them to the title and KNVB Cup in 2007, before she moved into full-time coaching at ADO Den Haag.

Among the many highlights at the club, she became the third Dutch woman to earn the UEFA Pro Licence in 2016, and was the first woman to coach a men’s professional club after a spell at Sparta Rotterdam.

She was given the permanent head coach job for the Netherlands women’s team in January 2017, a year that saw her profile catapulted around the world. Getting the job just six months before the UEFA Euros, Sarina had to hit the ground running. In the build up to the tournament, the Netherlands had lost four of their five friendly matches, and so morale was low. But at the Euros themselves, they won every single match, winning 4-2 in the final. She led them to another final at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup where they sadly lost to the United States.

Sarina Wiegman | England Head Coach

In 2020, the FA announced Sarina had signed a four-year contract to be the head coach for the England women’s national team, starting in 2021. Her first win came against North Macedonia, winning 8-0 t begin their 2023 World Cup qualification.

The Lionesses proved their worth by winning the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 on home soil. She became the fourth manager to retain the Euros title and the first to win the tournament with two different countries. Sarina coached them to the final of the 2023 World Cup, sadly losing to Spain. And after a slow start, the Lionesses retained their 2022 Euro title by beating Spain in the final of the 2025 Euros.

As coach, the Lionesses won the inaugural Arnold Clark Cup in 2022 and retained it the following year, and in 2023 she coached them to victory in the 2023 Women’s Finalissima.

In 2023, Sarina released her bestselling book, What it Takes: The Inspiring Journey of Sarina Wiegman and the Lionesses’ Rise to Success.

Sarina Wiegman | Awards & Accolades

– 4 x The Best FIFA Women’s Coach at the Best FIFA Football Awards

– Became a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau

– 2 x UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year

– Appointed an Honorary CBE

– BBC Sports Personality of the Year Coch Award 2022

– 3 x IFFHS World’s Best Woman National Coach

– Women’s Football Awards for Manager of the Year 2024

Sarina Wiegman | Corporate Work

Sarina is often booked for keynote and after-dinner talks where she shares her own journey from player to coach, as well as touching upon topics including dedication and resilience. Her experiences have equipped her with unique insights that she confidently and passionately shares with her audience.

Call +44 1753 439 289 or email Great British Speakers now to book Sarina Wiegman for your corporate event.

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