Wiegman’s woes: which team will turn up for Euros?

As the Lionesses prepare for the finals, the manager’s abrupt approach isn’t working as it used to, finds Miguel Delaney

- Miguel Delaney

For the seven England players enjoying their first ever tournament call-up, there is a new sense of wonder at being part of a team that is a genuine cultural force. A giddy excitement could be sensed around some of the Euro 2025 advertising campaigns, which you can now see all over England.

“Admire England,” one starts, but “Fear the Lionesses.” The campaign goes on to say, “Chloe’s calm, Kelly’s chaos”, “Leah charms, Williamson commands”.

It might be an apt theme on a few levels, some unintended. Because, when you speak to people around Sarina Wiegman’s camp, there are almost two sides to most discussions around the team. That marks a shift in itself, given we aren’t really seeing the unifying optimism of Euro 2022, or the deep resolve of the 2023 World Cup. At least not yet. Instead, there’s a split around general expectations for Euro 2025. England are simultaneously cast as having a strong chance of retaining their title, and being vulnerable to an embarrassing group-stage elimination.

It is a tone mostly set by an unusually tumultuous build-up, characterised by major retirements and absences, that has played into one of the topics causing the most debate with those close to the dressing room. That is squad chemistry, right up to Wiegman’s very approach. The latter might sound remarkable given that the England manager hasn’t let any other coach win the European Championships in 12 years, but is it possible that such longevity may be an issue? It again comes down to perspective.