When Wiegman signs new deal, Building Lionesses for Euro 2029 could reshape England

Sarina Wiegman has extended her contract as England manager until after the Euros in 2029, cementing her role in "Building Lionesses" for the next tournament cycle. The deal follows her record of three consecutive Women’s European Championships – 2017 with the Netherlands and 2022 and 2025 with England – and adds another World Cup silver to her résumé.

Continued European dominance

Wiegman arrived in September 2021 and immediately declared she had "come to bring the next level". Five years on she has added two more European titles and a second World Cup runner‑up, confirming the pedigree that sparked her appointment.

The England side that lifted the Euro 2022 trophy still features many of the same core players, but a 4‑0 loss to world champions Spain in June highlighted a widening gap to the global elite. That defeat forced England into two rounds of play‑offs to qualify for the next World Cup.

Regeneration challenges

Age will soon test the squad: defensive stalwarts Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood will be 37 and 36 respectively by Euro 2029, while Leah Williamson and Keira Walsh will be 32. Forward Alessia Russo and midfielder Georgia Stanway will also have turned 30, meaning succession planning is essential.

Former England striker Ellen White told the Women’s Football Weekly podcast, "We have to continue the evolution of the Lionesses. We can’t stay stagnant or keep trying to win in the same ways all the time." Former goalkeeper Rachel Brown‑Finnis added on BBC Radio 5 Live, "She’s not afraid of bringing in players who have never been capped before. Wiegman is looking right across the spectrum and asking who’s on form, who can add to my squad, who can fill a position or a couple of different positions?"

Ex‑captain Steph Houghton, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live’s Monday Night Club, noted, "You can see Wiegman is trying to change a few things. The last camp she brought on Lexi Potter for her debut and she is now starting regularly for Chelsea. As a young player you need that to thrive in this environment."

During her tenure Wiegman has handed debuts to 24 players, yet only Lauren James, Hannah Hampton and Lucia Kendall have become regular starters. Recent fixtures against Greece showcased emerging talent: Manchester City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown (23), Chelsea academy graduate Lexi Potter (20), London City’s Freya Godfrey (21) and 18‑year‑old Erica Meg Parkinson all earned their first caps.

The FA’s chief football officer Dan Ashworth praised Wiegman’s impact, saying she has ushered in "a golden age for women’s football in this country". However, figures earlier this season revealed a decline in home‑grown starters in the Women’s Super League, as the league’s growing prestige attracts more foreign stars.

With the next Euros looming, the question remains: could Wiegman’s emphasis on youth and squad rotation sustain England’s dominance, or will the ageing core and dwindling home‑grown pool expose new vulnerabilities?