Falcons Coach debate rages as England appoints Wiegman
Nearly one year after former Super Falcons coach Thomas Dennerby dumped the team and later surfaced in India, the debate over his replacement with either foreign or local coach is still raging.
Coaches and fans alike who reacted after NFF indicated a desire to go for another foreign coach were divided in their submissions.
Recall that two former handlers of the team Ismaila Mabo and Godwin Izilien were unanimous in their support for local coach describing the search for foreign coach for the girls as a waste of funds, while insisting that there are capable local hands that can deliver.
While the debate is still raging in Nigeria however, England have settled for Netherlands Sarina Wiegman as replacement for Phil Neville
Wiegman led Netherlands to victory on home soil at Euro 2017 and to the 2019 Women’s World Cup final where they finished as finalists losing to eventual winners USA.
Netherlands head coach Wiegman, who has signed a four-year deal, will remain in her current role through to next summer’s rearranged Olympic Games in Tokyo, before beginning her tenure in September 2021.
“I’m delighted and honoured to join England Women next year,” Wiegman said.
“England is the cradle of football and the major developments in women’s football globally over recent years have been led by The FA. I’m very much looking forward to contributing my experience and expertise to this ambitious team” enthused the 50 year old who won won 104 caps for the Netherlands as a player.
The FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, added: “We are thrilled to have secured Sarina to lead the Lionesses until 2025. She was the outstanding candidate from a very strong field.
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Neville announced in April he will leave his position at the end of his three-and-a-half year contract next July, with former USA head coach Jill Ellis, who has won the past two World Cups, among the early contenders.