England’s Euro 2025 glory showcases Wiegman’s incredible leadership

England’s victory at Euro 2025 may have seemed unlikely for much of the tournament, but it showcased the resilience and winning mentality instilled by head coach Sarina Wiegman, solidifying her status as one of the most successful managers in women’s football.
The Lionesses lifted the trophy after a dramatic final in Basel, coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Spain before winning 3-1 on penalties. The triumph avenged last year’s World Cup final loss to the same opponents and marked the first time any England senior team, men’s or women’s, has won a major trophy on foreign soil.

England’s campaign was anything but straightforward. They opened with a 2-1 defeat to France, survived a tense quarter-final against Sweden after overturning a late 2-0 deficit, and required stoppage-time heroics against Italy in the semi-final before advancing. Across all three knockout matches, England led for just one minute in total.

“This was the most chaotic and challenging tournament we’ve ever played,” Wiegman admitted. “But the belief and determination in this team are incredible. They never give up.”

Despite missing key players through retirement and unavailability, England’s depth proved crucial, with impactful performances from the bench changing the course of matches.

Since Wiegman’s appointment in 2021, England has won consecutive European Championships, reached a first-ever World Cup final, and maintained a remarkable record of reaching five consecutive finals across major tournaments. Wiegman herself has now won three successive Euros, including her 2017 triumph with the Netherlands.

Chloe Kelly, who scored the decisive penalty in the final, praised the manager: “She’s incredible. What she’s done for women’s football here and globally is next level.”

The tournament in Switzerland also highlighted the rapid growth of women’s football. A record-breaking 657,291 fans attended matches, surpassing the previous mark set in England in 2022. Alongside England’s triumph and Spain’s strong performance, Italy made headlines by reaching their first semi-final since 1997.

Looking ahead, England will shift focus to the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with qualifying starting next year. Football officials have expressed their commitment to keeping Wiegman in charge, hoping to build on the team’s historic success.

Reflecting on the tournament’s impact, Wiegman said: “The level of competition has risen again, and the intensity was through the roof. I believe this will only continue to push women’s football forward, not just in England but across Europe.”