Sarina Wiegman pays tribute to departing duo

Sarina Wiegman has paid tribute to both Anja Van Ginhoven and Arjan Veurink as the pair depart from the England women’s senior team set-up this week.

Veurink leaves his role as Wiegman’s assistant coach to return to his homeland and take over as the new Netherlands women’s head coach, while general manager Van Ginhoven is also moving on.

With both Veurink and Van Ginhoven having been a key part of Wiegman’s team since her appointment as Lionesses head coach in 2021, and playing a major role in England’s success of winning back-to-back EURO titles, they leave with the best wishes of everyone at the FA and with a ringing endorsement from Wiegman.

“There is so much I could say about Arjan,” said Wiegman.

“He is a brilliant coach and an incredible person. We have been together on an amazing journey since I asked him to join me with the Netherlands before EURO 2017. Having worked with him and coached against him, it was a clear decision to ask him to come with me to England.

“Working together over time we developed a real understanding and complimented each other, but it is also important we are able to challenge each other with a different point of view when needed. He has developed so much as a coach, has great tactical insight and is such a cool head even in the most pressure-filled moments.

“He is so respected by the players and the other coaches for how he works. We will miss him so much but he deserves to see where he can go next in his career. I support him 100 per cent and I’m sure he will be a big success in his next chapter.”

Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit have already been appointed as assistant coaches to replace Veurink and will start their new roles ahead of the first women’s international window in the 2025-26 season in October.

While Van Ginhoven’s role will not be directly replaced, individuals within the current England team set-up will assume additional responsibilities as Wiegman revealed the impact made during her four-year spell with the team.

“Anja’s organisational skills and commitment to making sure everything works smoothly in her role as general manager for England has been critical to our success together,” added Wiegman.

“She has allowed me always to fully focus on the football – if Anja’s working on it, I have never had to worry.

“Besides that, she is a former team-mate, who became a great friend and then an amazing colleague. When we used to play together about 25 years ago, we could not dream of what the world of women’s football would look like now, and everything we have achieved as a collective the past few years.

“I have to also pay tribute to how she fitted into the wider FA. She has fantastic people skills and commands respect, by working and involving others in her work. She has worked tirelessly for the best interests of the team and also been driven by acting upon what’s best for the women’s game.

“We all have a lot to thank her for and she will always be welcome back to Wembley and St. George’s Park. No doubt our professional paths will cross again, as has always been the case the past two decades.”

Another change in Wiegman’s team sees Geraint Twose, who was also a part of the coaching team that was key in the EURO 2022 and 2025 success and reaching the 2023 World Cup final, take up a new position.

He will now be in the role of England women lead transition coach, which supports the development and progression of players between the pathway and senior squad.

“Since I’ve been working with him, Twosey’s impact cannot be underestimated,” she explained.

“He’s an excellent coach and puts so much time and care into his sessions for the players, as well as his analysis work.

“I didn’t know him before I arrived but what struck me straight away was his passion for player development and his commitment to the women’s game. He is so highly respected by everyone.

“I have loved my time working with him. His dedication to every aspect of his job is so impressive. I am really happy to be able to still work closely together with him in his new role. He will be so important in developing players on the pathway through to the senior squad.”