'I actually hate rules': Wiegman relaxes as title defence begins

"My approach is the same - I just worry a little bit less," says a relaxed Sarina Wiegman in a crowded meeting room at England's hillside hotel in Zurich. With their European Championship Group D opener against France approaching tomorrow night why shouldn't the Lionesses head coach be calm?

- Tom Garry

My approach is the same - I just worry a little bit less," says a relaxed Sarina Wiegman in a crowded meeting room at England's hillside hotel in Zurich. With their European Championship Group D opener against France approaching tomorrow night why shouldn't the Lionesses head coach be calm? Wiegman has, after all, reached four major tournament finals in a row. However, she does admit she has changed since taking over England four years ago, and there are far fewer rules in camp almost three years after she guided the Lionesses to their first major trophy at Euro 2022: "My values won't change but I have to adapt to new situations and figure out: 'OK, what's best for the team now?'

"When I came in [2021], everyone was wearing jewellery and watches and I said: 'No, we can't wear jewellery. We measure everything and I want you to take off your earrings and things like that,' so they did. [But] I actually hate rules. We are here to perform and be at our best, and if you use your common sense then you make the right decisions. We want to set standards, but I think coaching is also about giving players responsibility - help players make their own decisions."