Arsenal manager Slegers signs new three-year deal

Arsenal head coach Renee Slegers has signed a new three-year contract.

The 36-year-old guided Arsenal to their second Women's Champions League title in May, four months after being appointed on a permanent basis.

After a successful interim spell, Slegers signed an 18-month contract in January 2025, which was set to expire at the end of this season.

It has been a rocky 2025-26 campaign with Arsenal drawing four and losing one of their opening 11 matches in the Women's Super League.

They sit eight points off leaders Manchester City but secured a play-off spot for the knockout stages of the Women's Champions League in December.

Dutchwoman Slegers has been at the club since 2023, first as assistant coach to former boss Jonas Eidevall. She first came to Arsenal as an academy player.

"I'm immensely proud to have shared this journey with Arsenal - a club that means so much to me and to so many people," said Slegers.

"I'm delighted to have signed a new contract here as I believe we have so much to achieve together this season and in the years to come."

Arsenal's director of women's football Clare Wheatley said Slegers has "proven to be an elite coach".

The length of her new deal will give the club stability as they seek to recruit for the long term with Slegers at the centre of the decision-making.

Arsenal want to lower the average age of the squad and believe Slegers' coaching ability can help develop players over time.

She has faced criticism this season, particularly after a poor start, but having delivered the Champions League trophy in May, her stock is high within the club.

While it has not gone to plan so far this season, discussions over a new long-term deal for Slegers took place in the summer, and recent frustrations have not had an impact on that.

The club view Slegers as an emotionally intelligent person, capable of managing a squad with high-profile players and vast experience.

It will be a crucial few months - not just in terms of navigating the January transfer window, but for Slegers to demonstrate a consistent and clearer playing style, and silence rumblings of doubt among the fans.

She has proven her credentials before but expectations are higher now and responsibilities are greater. She will be backed and must deliver further success.

Slegers will be heavily supported by former England striker Jodie Taylor, who Arsenal confirmed on Friday will take on a new role as technical director.

It is a promotion for Taylor, who had two spells at the club as a player before joining Arsenal's technical staff in 2023.

Taylor will work closely with Slegers and her staff on a daily basis, liaising with other departments at the club on how best to support the women's team.

She will play a key role in the club's recruitment, building on the work she has been doing behind the scenes over the past six months.

"It's 10 years since I first joined Arsenal as a player and the progress and growth of the club since then has been remarkable," said Taylor.

"Building on the strong foundations already in place, we want to nurture a high-performance environment where our players, Renee and the wider staff have the right tools and the best possible environment to deliver at the highest level."

Taylor will communicate regularly with Wheatley, who reports to Arsenal's chief executive officer Richard Garlick.