Renee Slegers has appeared in the media for the first time since her permanent appointment as Arsenal manager, saying she is “very happy” to have taken the job.
Proof that Slegers had taken the position of coach until the end of the 2025/26 season arrived on Friday morning after what was said to be a thorough process carried out by the club.
“I'm very happy to be sitting here right now, and we all made the decision together to move forward like this,” Slegers said. “I've just seen what the players have done and how we've connected with the staff, the club and the fans as well. So that was really in my decision to look for the job.”
“When I got into it, it was very sudden, it was very sudden, and I was here to serve the club. Then my spell as an interim started to grow, it started to get longer. Then you started to see where we we were going as a team and the connection with the fans”.
Here to stay with Arsenal ❤️
Renée Slegers is officially our permanent coach. pic.twitter.com/u6j53jBekJ
— Arsenal Women (@ArsenalWFC) January 17, 2025
The Gunners went on an 11-game unbeaten run since Slegers took over, winning 10 games and drawing just one. Despite the success, it was the 1-1 draw against United that proved to be the turning point in Slegers' mind.
“The game against Manchester United, when we didn't get the three points, we got one point, but we played very well and the fans supported us and supported us,” she added. “This was a critical moment for me, knowing that there is something we can create here. I'm very happy to be here now.”
The 35-year-old man was impaled afterwards Jonas Eidevall resigned from his managerial role in what was believed to be unexpected. Despite the haphazard process, the Dutch boss took positives from the chaotic period.
“There were many lessons in that period”, said Slegers. “It was a role I've never played before, so it's interesting to see how I can take on such a role. It's been a lot of fun, I've tried to create an easy atmosphere where fun and togetherness are very important. I tried to empower the players and the staff”.
Leah Williamson heaped praise on Slegers after the appointment was confirmed, saying how the coach has helped her strengthen her “mentality” over the past few months.
“I feel like before, we had a misunderstanding of my passion and the impact it had on the people around me, the impact it might have had on my performance,” Williamson admitted. “I appreciate it, because it seems to me that she saw me, saw me and is critical of me, but in a good way.”
The England captain has spoken before on the environment the coach has fostered, saying she is “very happy to come to work” since Slegers took over.
Williamson echoed that sentiment once again: “I'm glad she got the job. Obviously, the results have been great, but it's the environment that's been nice. It's a nice place to come to work, which which is important. I think her biggest strength or quality in that role is her empowerment and the way she works naturally.”