Greenwood and Wiegman among Lionesses in New Year's honours

SARINA WIEGMAN has been awarded an honorary damehood in the New Year Honours in recognition of her astonishing success with the England women's football team.

- By JAMIE GARDNER Sports Reporter

While Bootle-born Alex Greenwood was among the Lionessess to receive honours.The Dutch coach led the Lionesses to a second straight Euros title in the summer, having also steered the team to the World Cup final in 2023.

Wiegman, who began her role in September 2021, said: "I would like to express my sincere gratitude for this honour. When I first arrived in England, I could never have imagined the respect and warmth I've experienced from the English people. I deeply thank the fans for their support."

Wiegman's honour follows another glorious summer for the Lionesses in 2025.

They rode their luck on their run to the Euro final in Switzerland before beating world champions Spain in a penalty shootout, following on from winning the competition on home soil in 2022.

Also honoured are team captain Leah Williamson, who becomes a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE). While four other double European champions - former Liverpool and Everton defender Greenwood, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Keira Walsh - have each been made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBEs).