Hard work and sticking to it definitely pays off. Renée was initially appointed as an interim head coach in October 2024 before being named permanent head coach in January 2025. Four months later, she led the club to our first UEFA Women’s Champions League title. And to show their gratitude, Arsenal has renewed Slegers’ contract through 2029.
Renée joined the coaching staff at Arsenal in the summer of 2023, initially serving as assistant coach. The 36-year-old, according to BettingTop10.ie, previously spent two years at Rosengard as head coach, winning consecutive Swedish league titles in 2021 and 2022.
When Slegers took over the coaching duties, she immediately took the team on an 11-game winning streak. Slegers’ team finished in fifth place in the Barclays Women’s Super League for the 2024-2025 season. Even more impressive, Arsenal under Slegers’ leadership has been unbeaten at home.
Of course, the main highlight was Renée’s brilliant leadership in taking Arsenal through a memorable UEFA Women’s Champions League campaign, defeating Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, and eight-time winners OL Lyonnes on our way to the final in Lisbon. Even Slegers paused to acknowledge her amazing accomplishments. She recently made this statement:
“Arsenal means so much to me, as I know it does to so many of you. I’m delighted to have signed a new contract to continue my journey with Arsenal. I believe we have so much to achieve together – not only this season, but for many years to come.”
Speaking about Renée’s contract extension, Director of Women’s Football Clare Wheatley had this to say:
“We are delighted Renée has signed a new long-term contract with us. Renée is an elite coach with the experience and capabilities to lead us as we look to win major trophies, and we can’t wait to see what she achieves with the squad in the coming years. Along with our supporters, we look forward to continuing our journey with Renée.”
She’ll also get assistance from former England striker Jodie Taylor, who has been promoted into the club’s first-ever technical director role. The ex-Arsenal striker will oversee all footballing operations alongside Slegers, but her main areas will be recruitment, technology, and specialisation.
The Gunners are hoping one of football’s brightest young coaches can help take the side back to a stage where they compete regularly to win trophies, regardless of how they start this season. Now that Slegers and Taylor are secure in their roles, they have the authority to make some tough decisions that may be needed to help take Arsenal on to the next level. A number of big names are out of contract this summer, and some have already been told they are likely to be told this is their last season at the Emirates Stadium. Some potential losses include Caitlin Foord and Emily Fox.
Slegers has been given the brief to make Arsenal younger, more physical, and mentally tougher so they can go about winning titles on all fronts. She has the long-term security now. That allows her to shape the squad how she wants and pick the players she wants to help her on the journey to title town. Some will not like that and will be casualties along the way. How many depends on Renee Slegers and Jodie Taylor.