LONDON: Sarina Wiegmann, who guided Netherlands to their Women’s Euro triumph in 2017, will become new manager of England after the rescheduled Tokyo Olympic Games next year.

The former Dutch international midfielder has signed a four-year contract deal to succeed Phil Neville who steps down next summer.

Wiegman, 50, will take charge after overseeing the Netherlands at the postponed Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

Baroness Campbell, the Football Association’s director of women’s football, said: “Sarina was our number one choice.”

A decision on who will take charge of Great Britain at the Olympics in Japan will be announced “in due course”.

Wiegmann said: “England is the cradle of football and I’m very much looking forward to contributing my experience and expertise to this ambitious team.”

Her first major tournament in charge of the Lionesses will be the Women’s Euro 2021 on home soil.

Wiegman made 104 appearances and was captain of the Netherlands in her playing career.

She joined ADO Den Haag Women as manager in 2007 and first joined the national team coaching set-up as assistant in 2014.

She was named head coach in January 2017 and led her side to glory at Euro 2017 and to third place in the world rankings. She was also named FIFA coach of the year in 2017.

Mark Bullingham, FA’s chief executive, said“Sarina was the outstanding candidate from a very strong field.

“She is a proven winner and we are confident she can take England to the next level, giving us the best possible opportunity of achieving our ambition to win a major tournament.”

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