Sarina

Lioness fans tuning in to the procession following the historic win were quick to praise manager Sarina Wiegman’s ‘wholesome’ reaction to parade’s surprise musical guest when she appeared alongside him on stage

Lioness fans were quick to praise Sarina Wiegman’s ‘wholesome’ reaction to parade’s surprise musical guest during the procession following the historic win.

England fans erupted with joy across the country as the team defended their title in a penalty shootout win in the final in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday and as celebrations really got underway on Tuesday across the capital, the lauded manager made it up on stage with her team. In the special broadcast, which was hosted by Alex Scott, singer Burna Boy made a surprise appearance and was welcomed onto stage by the TV host after being revealed to be Sarina’s favourite artist.

Alex had been chatting to Sarina when she reminded her that last time they spoke following the Euros win in 2022, she had refused to dance because it was the wrong music. This time, however, organisers had managed to Burna Boy to come to the event and give a rendition of his song For My Hand, which originally featured Ed Sheeran.

This time, however, he was joined by none other than Sarina herself and sports fans flooded social media with their reaction to the moment, even though the whole collaboration was not something they saw on the cards. One wrote: “@burnaboyand Sarina Wiegman dancing at the #Lionesses homecoming was not something I had expected to see today So wholesome!! Oluwa Burna,” and another said: “Sarina Wiegman dancing up there on that stage is just brilliant.”

One praised Sarina for knowing all the words to the 2022 hit single, and another proclaimed: “This is what you call a manager who can have fun, let her hair down and party like her team! Sarina is the one!” whilst a fifth fanatic joked that the Dutch native is ‘never leaving’ the UK.

The crowds cheered as Sarina partied along on stage, and she also explained how she had managed to ‘stay calm’ on the journey to the victory as she joked: “It was chaos. I had hoped for a little less chaos. But they didn’t keep their to promise to finish things quicker! But yeah, as we always have a plan, and we try to execute that, and the players on the pitch, we just kept having hope all the time and belief. And they just showed up when it was really necessary and urgent.”

“I think you start with talent, there’s a huge talent pool within this team, also, what we want to do is play to our strengths but I think that the bonding in this team this time…in 2022, we had great bonding but it’s made the absolute difference now, that everyone was ready to step up and support each other and it was just amazing to be a part of.”

Just two days ago, Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, sending supporters into raptures. The King said the team had the royal family ’s “warmest appreciation and admiration” following their victory, adding: “The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can.”

An open-top bus procession took place along The Mall, culminating with a staged ceremony at the Queen Victoria Memorial in front of Buckingham Palace starting at approximately 12:30pm. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the team’s triumph, saying: “The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation. Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country.

“It stands as a testament to the determination, resilience and unity that define this outstanding team.” Despite the historic achievement, it is understood Downing Street has no plans for a bank holiday to mark the Lionesses’ triumph.

Supporters stood on tables, waved flags, threw drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Sir Keir watched on from the stands in Basel. Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute.

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Wiegman is also ruthless.

She dropped former England captain Steph Houghton in 2022, and told goalkeeper Mary Earps she would not be the number one for Euro 2025.

Her honesty is appreciated by many, but not all.

“Sarina has always been direct, she always says it how it is, whether you like it or not, and it’s something you have to take on the chin,” said midfielder Georgia Stanway.

“Get the people around you that you need and if she gives you some negative feedback then you know that the rest of the staff are going to help you to fix it.”

Kirby went from being a starter in 2022, to the fringes of the squad before she was told she would not make the cut for 2025.

The Brighton midfielder announced her international retirement early as a result but says Wiegman learned quickly what style of feedback people could handle.

“If it’s not right for the team, she will be direct with you, regardless of what you are feeling,” said Kirby.

“But she gets to know you, so you have that respect for her when you do have to have that difficult conversation. You know that it’s not personal, it’s just she needs more from you or she needs you to do more for the team.

“She is just consistent with everyone, regardless of whether you’ve got 80 caps or five. Everyone is treated the same.”

White says they had regular one-to-one conversations when Wiegman first took over and they often discussed analysis on Zoom away from camp.

“She visits clubs as well, and has communication with club managers. She’ll always pick up the phone to you no matter what time it is,” added White.

“She’s so approachable. Yes, she is the manager, but she is a human being. She wants what is best for you.”

Bardsley’s injuries meant she had to retire before making an appearance under Wiegman but she had regular contact throughout her attempted comeback.

The ex-goalkeeper was given a six-week deadline to return to play and when it was clear she wouldn’t make it, she called Wiegman, who was “very empathetic”.

“She is really emotionally intelligent and could feel I was disappointed. It probably made her selection headache a lot easier but she said lots of nice things about my career. I was just grateful,” said Bardsley.

“I would have loved to have played under her. She took the time to have a chat and I really appreciated that because she didn’t have to do that.”

But Houghton did not feel she was given the same treatment and has been critical of Wiegman’s approach to her.

Writing in her book, Houghton said she felt Wiegman was “pretty brutal” in how she communicated that she would not be part of her squad for the 2023 World Cup.

“We were told we would know the final World Cup squad on Tuesday,” Houghton wrote.

“On the Monday, I had an appearance at St George’s Park for Nike. When I went back to the changing room, I had a missed call from Sarina. She didn’t know I was there, so when I told her, she asked me to go and meet her in the canteen, where she told me she wasn’t taking me.

“I found myself wondering if this would have been a face-to-face conversation if I hadn’t already been at St George’s Park. Sarina told me that I probably wouldn’t play for England while she was in charge.

“She obviously made her mind up, which is fine and I’ve got to respect that. The problem was more that I think she’d intended to have this conversation over the phone, and she knew she was going to tell me I wasn’t in her plans at all. I thought that called for a face-to-face conversation given the career I’d had.”

SARINA WIEGMAN rejected suggestions of England being in crisis after naming her squad for this year’s Euros.

The Lioness chief backed her group to ignore outside noise following player retirements and a surprise withdrawal.

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Wiegman was speaking yesterday, a day after England vice captain Millie Bright, 31, announced her decision to withdraw from being selected for the contest. 

This follows goalkeeper Mary Earps, 32, and playmaker Fran Kirby, 31, both calling time on their Lioness careers three years after helping the team become Euros champions.

On the Daly Brightness podcast yesterday, Bright opened up on the reasons behind her choice and including wanting to get back to her very best physically and mentally.

The 88-capped centre-back, and Chelsea captain, played an influential role in her club treble trophy win this season  with the Blues going unbeaten in 22 top-flight games

Bright’s withdrawal and Kirby’s and Earps’ retirements before the July 2 start of the Euros in Switzerland, prompted questions on whether all is well behind the scenes with England. 

When asked if England are in crisis, Wiegman said: “For me, it doesn’t feel like a crisis at all.

“That is not the case. We know what is happening in the team and there is competition going on in the team. 

“My experience (as England head coach) is that there is always noise. 

“We expect noise until we go into the tournament. 

“The difference between the 2015 (World Cup) and 2017 (Euros) to now is that the visibility of the women’s game has increased so it seems like there is more noise. 

“What we say all the time is that the level of the game has increased so much so the demands on the players have increased a lot. 

“The demands in the WSL and also internationally and also with the Nations League. 

The level and demands have increased there too. 

Then the attention around – the players are household names now – that is lifechanging. 

When asked about Bright’s withdrawal Wiegman revealed she was saddened by it.

And she hopes the Lioness heroine will be back to her best soon.

The Englad boss added: “It was sad and disappointing.

“It’s not nice when you don’t feel well physically and mentally and I just hope she feels better soon.

“Players are not robots. We try to support them as well as possible. Hopefully many players stay fit and healthy.

“They (Bright, Earps and Kirby) have done so much for us and for English football. 

“They have been playing in the tournaments since I have been here so that’s hard to replace. 

“But there are also other players who have done really well.

“They get the opportunities now to step up and show [what they can do].”

Wiegman’s squad selection involved the head coach looking to the future with seven players appearing in their first major tournament.  

Six of whom are aged from 19 to 23. 

Among them is Arsenal’s Michelle Agyemang whose call-up followed her stunning international debut goal during England’s 3-2 Nations League loss to Belgium in April 

Her cameo performance after coming on in the 80th minute of that game is her only senior England appearance to date.  

And Wiegman backed the striker to add a new dimension to England’s attack 

The Lioness chief said:  “We will see what she can bring. 

“I have seen her in training sessions and what she did in Belgium – she can bring something different. I hope she can show that.”

England took the unexpected route of revealing their Lionesses Euros squad via a video 

Three Lions stars Harry Kane and Bukayo were among the celebs naming selected players. 

Among the players who made the cut is Chelsea’s Lauren James with the forward battling to be fit in time for the tournament.  

On July 5 England will begin their fight to remain Euros champions with a Group D clash with France. 

Wiegman said: “I hope Lauren will be available for the first game of the tournament. 

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“I don’t know for how many minutes yet, we need to see that. 

“We still have one friendly against Jamaica, I hope that she’ll make that one too.”

England’s squad includes six Arsenal stars with Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy and forwards Beth Mead, Alessia Russo and Chloe Kelly all selected. 

With Earps retiring there were also call-ups for goalkeepers Anna Moorhouse and Khiara Keating as back-up options to England’s new No1 Hannah Hampton.