Should Renée Slegers Get the Arsenal Job?

Photo Credit: Arsenal.com

The 2024/2025 season started quite turbulently for the Arsenal Women's Football Club, calling for a change in leadership. On October 14, 2024, Jonas Eidevall, who had been managing the club since 2021, stepped down as head coach. His resignation followed a few disappointing defeats, including a tough 2-5 loss against FC Bayern Munich in the UEFA Women’s Champions League and a painful defeat against Chelsea in the Women's Super League. In the aftermath of Eidevall's departure, assistant coach Renée Slegers stepped up to take on the role of interim head coach. Since then, she has remarkably turned the season around. With Slegers taking charge, Arsenal has played 11 matches, securing 10 wins and just one draw. One of the highlights of this period was a 3-2 victory over FC Bayern, a statement win that proved Slegers' tactical talent and her ability to motivate her players. The Gunners have scored an impressive 31 goals while conceding only 5, with 7 of those 11 games ending in clean sheets for the North London club.

The former Dutch international has been able to transform a struggling side, taking them from 6th place in the WSL table to 3rd, just behind Manchester City W.F.C. and Chelsea FC Women. Her leadership has seen Arsenal qualify for the quarterfinals of the Women’s Champions League, even securing the group win in this competition. After 11 matches, Slegers currently stands at an impressive 2.82 points per match.                                                                                                                                                                                             Despite these impressive statistics, the question remains: Is Slegers the right choice to take over permanently as head coach? The possibility of her securing the role full-time has sparked considerable debate.

Before joining Arsenal in 2023 as Eidevall’s assistant, Slegers gained coaching experience with Swedish side Rosengård, a team she managed after Eidevall’s departure to Arsenal. There, she was able to secure 2 league titles. However, one could argue that her experience at the highest level is limited, and there are concerns about whether she is able to lead a high-pressure club like Arsenal. This lack of top-level experience could be a major factor in the club’s decision-making process.

There are, of course, other potential candidates who are rumoured to be on the shortlist for the role. One of the names mentioned is Nick Cushing, the 40-year-old coach who led Manchester City W.F.C. to WSL glory in 2016, along with several FA Cups and Conti Cup titles. Most recently, he has been managing New York City FC in the MLS.                                                                                

Another potential candidate is Casey Stoney, a 42-year-old former England international who has gained coaching experience with Manchester United W.F.C. and most recently with San Diego Wave in the NWSL.                                                                                           

Both Cushing and Stoney have the experience to take on the role of Arsenal head coach. However, Slegers has been able to demonstrate that she is capable in terms of coaching ability, and perhaps more importantly, she has shown a deep understanding of her players.

So, should Renée Slegers be given the permanent job at Arsenal?

The decision is a complex one, with several factors to weigh in. However, if given the full backing and trust of the club, Slegers has the potential to take this team to new heights. If she can continue to handle the pressure and maintain her impressive run, the Gunners could have a leader capable of guiding them to success.