Topics: Sarina Wiegman, Phil Neville, The FA, England, Lionesses, Netherlands, Oranje Lionesses, Jill Ellis, Casey Stoney, Emma Hayes
Netherlands manager Sarina Wiegman signed a four-year contract with the England women’s national team, which will see her succeed Phil Neville at the end of his contract in July 2021.

If you have kept up with the international women's football scene in the last four years, then you should know who Sarina Wiegman is.  

The Dutch international led her country to a UEFA Women's Championship win in 2017 after just one year in charge. As a result, Wiegman was awarded The Best FIFA Women's Coach at that year's The Best FIFA Football Awards ceremony. She then led Holland to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup Final, finishing as runner-up at the hands of the U.S. Women's National Team.

Wiegman decided to join England after a fruitful six-year run with the Netherlands on Thursday, Aug. 13, when she signed a four-year contract that will see her start her new role with the Lionesses in September 2021.  

"I'm delighted and honoued to join England Women next year. England is the cradle of football and the major developments in women's football globally over recent years have been led by the FA," said Wiegman. "I'm very much looking forward to contributing my experience and expertise to this ambitious team." 

But in the meantime, she will honor her commitment with the Oranje Lionesses by helping her team qualify to the 2022 UEFA Women's EURO and win the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.  

"I am extremely excited by the prospect of leading England Women in the future, but for now, I am one hundred per cent focused on Oranje," said Wiegman. "I will do my utmost to add another chapter to their remarkable journey before making my next step." 

The English Football Association announced that Phil Neville would leave his role as England women's manager in April 2020, as it was reported that he was not looking to renew his contract, which is set to culminate in July 2021. 

Reports from Sky Sports in May linked former USWNT head coach Jill Ellis, Chelsea Women head coach Emma Hayes and Manchester United Women head coach Casey Stoney to the position. However, the FA had to look elsewhere, given Hayes and Stoney's commitment to their current teams and failing to sway Ellis back to her home country. 

"We're thrilled to have secured Sarina to lead the Lionesses until 2025," said FA CEO Mark Bullingham. "She was the outstanding candidate from a very strong field."