Renee Slegers will stay in interim charge of Arsenal Women until the New Year. Slegers took over as interim when Jonas Eidevall resigned in October and has overseen a sharp upturn in form with Arsenal winning six and drawing one of her seven games in charge so far. The Gunners play Aston Villa, Valarenga, Liverpool and Bayern Munich before the Christmas break which sees them not play between 18 December and 11 January.
It is still not clear whether Slegers is a candidate to take over permanently but her performance so far has reassured the club that they do not need to rush the process to appoint a permanent coach and our understanding is that a permanent appointment is unlikely before Christmas.
In her pre-Aston Villa press conference, Slegers said, ‘I am happy to contribute to the team, I was really happy in the role I was in before and I am happy stepping in and doing this. We are such a big group of people doing a really good job, both players and staff. I enjoy being at Arsenal.’ Asked whether an ongoing interim manager creates any uncertainty around the club, Slegers said, ‘No, it doesn’t for me and I cannot sense that around the team.’
Asked whether she would like the role permanently, she said, ‘This question always comes up in the press conferences! New block, same questions! I understand the question, I enjoy it at the moment, I don’t know about the future, I just do everything I can to help the team now. As a group we have highlighted what we wanted to do, the players have been taking big ownership, holding themselves and each other accountable. We have tried to lead and facilitate that process but big credit to the group of players.’
As well as this, Amanda Ilestedt has returned to training following the birth of her daughter in August. A room has been made available at the Sobha Realty Training Centre for Amanda to feed her daughter and bring her to training. She is currently on a return to play training plan and once she does return to play (timelines there are not set in stone), reasonable adjustments will be made such as allowing her to take her daughter on away trips.
Slegers told Arseblog News of Ilestedt, ‘It is nice to have Amanda back in the building with her baby, it is a nice addition I think! It brings a new dynamic in the canteen. Amanda was out on the pitch today but it will take some time, it takes time to build back up, it is a big happening for a female body to give birth. She is doing really well but there is no specific timeframe I can share with you.’
Arseblog News also asked about Victoria Pelova and her recovery from an ACL injury suffered in June, ‘She was training with us, we had a couple of players in during the international break and she did some bits of sessions with the rest of the players which was very positive.’
Lia Walti will not be available on Sunday after having surgery to remove an abscess, Slegers told Arseblog News, ‘Lia is recovering well from her surgery, she is still in Switzerland and will not be available for Sunday. Steph Catley trained today in a full session.’
For me, she is the present and perfect fit, doing the job to avery good standard and she represents the club in the right way whenever in front of the camera.
Best of all, the players love her. What more can we ask of a Head Coach?
I agree. She is too humble and it’s a shame she doesn’t offer herself for the permanent job. At least not speaking in front of the press. It appears to me that she underestimates the change she brought since Jonas left. It’s been a major improvement in form and the team spirit is so much better than under Jonas. I’d love to give her the job at least until the end of the season.
You never know what you have until it’s gone.🤷
I feel it’s becoming an obvious appointment & it would be a mistake to consider an outsider at this stage.
Sledge Hammer
I’m delighted with the decision to keep Renee on as interim manager at least until January. I think doing it in stages is the right approach. What I want to see from RS now is integration of more fringe players. We will not win anything using the same 15 players all season. and we run the risk of losing youngsters we don’t want to lose. Walti is out so KCC will probably start, which is great. But Kuhl and Katie Reid especially spring to mind, but Lia and Godfrey need some time, too. I’m not a particular fan of Kuhl,… Read more »
I think Clare must be negotiating with Nick Cushing, unfortunately.
Really? I so hope you’re wrong!
I hope so
Thing is Cushing was sacked in the USA supposedly for his “connections” with Arsenal so he was immediately available with no need to wait for the play offs. If it was to be him, and I hope it isn’t, wouldn’t he be in place by now?
Well, I thought about that too, because usually that happens quickly when both parties are interested, I hope he goes to the NWSL and stays there for a long time.
I’m not sure if Arsenal are beginning to let this situation sprawl to a point where squad development is stalling, I would imagine this has been on hold since the departure of Jonas. It is always very visible to see the manager’s influence on who is bought/sold and played with this current squad, Jonas was informing the club who he wanted/renewed, not the club telling him these are the signings were making. I would imagine Renee isn’t having any conversations regarding this, she is to her credit in charge for blocks of games at a time and doing everything she… Read more »
I think you made a great point about short-term thinking – this is why we *really* need to see more rotation and different tactical setups in the four games before Christmas. I like what I have seen of Renée, but I am still not 100% convinced she does actually want the job long term. If she sticks with a “steady as she goes” approach, that would suggest that she and the club consider her to be keeping the managerial seat warm for someone else. Making sure we don’t lose ground. But rotating the squad and the setup would be a… Read more »
Renee is getting the job done, why change just for the sake of change. No doubt a group of smug men will stuff it up.
Lia’s problem was in her knee. Does anyone know anything? I hope she has a great recovery, and welcome back Amanda. The situation of the lack of a manager needs to be resolved so as not to compromise future signings that the club wants to make. No one will want to come to the club without a coach.
I think she is the perfect replacement, she has infused confidence and belief in this squad, she is experienced and i think they should offer her the job, she definitely has the fans behind her.
But does she want it? Nothing that she’s said at any stage has indicated that she actually wants it. She has a young child at home and I get the feeling that she’d rather not take on the pressure full time and was far happier as an assistant coach. I just hope the club doesn’t get somebody like Cushing. I think a woman coach would be better, and I don’t think Clare Wheatley should be allowed to bring in another Jonas.