Arsenal have confirmed that head coach Renée Slegers has signed a new contract extension, securing her long-term future at the club following last season’s Champions League success.
Speaking at Emirates Stadium shortly after signing the deal, Renée Slegers said the extension reflected her belief in the club and its direction, and her desire to continue building on what has already been achieved.
“There are so many things to this for me. Of course, I’m very proud to represent Arsenal in any role,” Slegers said.
“I think it means something because we will be able to build something. I strongly believe in the club and what the club has been doing for a long time before me and where we are now, where the team is at and all the possibilities that we have from a facilities and resources perspective.
“We have everything. We have the fans. I really look forward to it. It means so much to me and I really look forward to more.”
The new deal comes close to a year after Slegers formally took charge as head coach, a period that included Arsenal’s Champions League triumph in Lisbon. Rather than focus solely on that moment, she placed it within the wider context of her long association with the club.
“I want to reflect upon my whole time at Arsenal because, like I just said, I’ve been representing Arsenal for a longer time in different roles and I’m very proud of that,” she said.
“I think the bigger picture of what the club has been building for a long time and the small part that I have been a part of so far, it’s been great to be a part of because I think I share so many values with the club.”
Asked about the Champions League final itself, Slegers said the significance of that achievement continues to register gradually.
“I think it comes in pieces, the sinking in of what we did,” she said. “We know what it means to the club and to the fans. I think our whole Champions League journey last season has been very impressive. What the team has shown, the quality of football that we can play, the way we can win games and also the character that we’ve shown as a team.”
Slegers also highlighted the collective culture within the squad and coaching staff as a key reason for Arsenal’s success.
“The quality that we possess in the team, the different individual strengths and when that comes together, we are such a good team,” she said. “Together with the staff, the backroom staff, there is so much work ethic, so much willingness to learn, to become better. We work with really high trust levels.”
While proud of last season’s achievements, Slegers was clear that the club’s ambitions remain unchanged.
“Our ambition doesn’t stop when you win one Champions League,” she said. “The goal is of course to be able to achieve the Arsenal way and do that consistently, and that way needs to lead to trophies because we are Arsenal.”
Director of Women’s Football, Clare Wheatley, said about the new deal, “We’re delighted Renée has signed a new long-term contract with us. Since taking over, first on an interim basis and then as our permanent head coach, Renée has proved to be an elite coach with the capabilities to lead us as we continue to challenge to win major trophies. Together with our supporters, we look forward to continuing our successful journey with Renée in the years to come.”
Chief Executive Officer, Richard Garlick, added, “Renée has already achieved great things as our head coach, leading us to our second Champions League title in her first season in charge. Beyond this, Renée has embraced the values and ambitions of Arsenal, driving standards and progress as we aim to compete consistently at the top of the women’s game.
“We now look ahead to an exciting second half of the season, with five trophies to play for. Our huge congratulations to Renée and her family.”