The pathway for Sarina Wiegman to take one of the leading jobs in men’s football continues to clear.
The England women’s coach has become the Netherland’s fans’ favourite after Arne Slot rejected the national team.
Former Liverpool manager Slot was approached by the Dutch federation [KNVB], but has told them he continues to keep working in club football.
Slot was leading fan polls [37% of the vote] from AD on who should replace Ronald Koeman after he stepped down post-World Cup.
Joint second in the voting [16%] was Wiegman with Pep Guardiola.
However, the Manchester City boss has made it clear he will be taking a sabbatical after rejecting Italy.
FC Twente technical director Erik ten Hag has made it clear that he’s not available, while Peter Bosz has done the same and recently extended his PSV contract with a hefty payrise.
Jurgen Klopp was another dream candidate for the KNVB but instead joined his native Germany.
Who are the favourites to replace Koeman?
Other runners and riders include 2026 World Cup assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy and youth coach Michael Reiziger.
Both are arguably far less qualified than Wiegman, who is considered one of the greatest female football coach of all time.
A three-time European champion, she is the only man or woman to reach five consecutive major international finals.
The 56-year-old was previously lightly linked to Heerenveen in the Netherlands, but will clearly be entering at a higher level should she switch to the men’s game.
Wiegman is under contract with the Lionesses until the end of the 2027 World Cup.
She was reportedly in the running to replace Gareth Southgate as England coach in 2024.
Wigman was also on the staff at Eredivisie side Sparta Rotterdam and female coaches are continuing to rise in the men’s game, with Marie Louise-Eta taking over at Union Berlin to finish the 2025/26 season in a Bundesliga first.
Where next for Arne Slot?
As for Slot, his biographer, AD reporter Mikos Gouka, claims that he also rejected Saudi Pro League side Al-Ahli who have just lost Matthias Jaissele to Newcastle.
He adds that Slot also rejected Fulham and AC Milan, and hints that he may have some regrets over the second of those snubs.
Ruben Amorim has since taken the Milan job and been backed heavily in the transfer market with club record signing Goncalo Ramos for €80million from PSG.
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