Sarina Wikmann has been named European Coach of the Year by UEFA. The 52-year-old Dutchman is credited with winning the European Championship as England’s national coach.

In addition to Wiegmann, Olympic Lyonnais coach Sonia Bombaster and German national coach Martina Voss-Decklenburg were nominated. Bombaster guided his team to the Champions League and the national title. Voss-Decklenburg lost 2–1 to England in the European Championship final with Germany.

Wiegman, chosen by a panel of coaches and journalists, made history in July by leading England to their first ever European title at a sold-out Wembley.

She became the first women’s coach to win a prize with two different countries. In 2017 she became the European Champion with Orange Women. The Netherlands were eliminated in the quarter-finals of the last European Championship.

Since the appointment of the 52-year-old Wykeman in September 2021, England have not lost a game; Eighteen matches were won and two matches ended in draws. Having finished top of Group D in qualifying, the ‘Lions’ are aiming to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Wykeman is still under contract with England until 2025. The FA wants to extend that deal, director Sue Campbell recently announced.

“He brought the team together in no time. Not just the players but the whole team around him,” he said. “At the time of his application, we knew we were bringing in the best technical and tactical coach in the world.”

Photos (c) Getty Images

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