Renee Slegers’ profile, achievements, statistics, and professional milestones
Factfile:
Date of birth: Feb. 5, 1989
Clubs managed: Rosengard, Arsenal
Clubs played for: Willem II, Djurgårdens IF, Linköping FC
Trophies: UWCL (1), FIFA Champions Cup (1), Swedish league titles (2), Swedish Cup (1)
Just a few months into Renee Slegers’ time at Arsenal, the home fans displayed a banner reading ‘”Reneesaince.” This reflected the significant influence the Dutch coach had made in a brief span. The banner turned out to be remarkably insightful.
Shortly thereafter, Slegers guided the Gunners to Champions League success.
Appointed mid-season following a challenging period, she managed a stunning turnaround that concluded in Lisbon, where the Gunners triumphed over favorites Barcelona in the 2025 final.
This year, Slegers added more silverware to her collection by leading Arsenal to victory in the inaugural FIFA Champions Cup. The respect she commands was highlighted by the new contract Arsenal extended to her, which runs until 2029.
ESPN examines one of the prominent coaches in women’s football.
A distinguished playing career:
Although Slegers did not reach the highest levels of the sport, she still enjoyed a commendable playing career.
Her journey notably commenced at Arsenal. Slegers joined the north London club’s academy in 2006, where she trained for a year under current United States head coach Emma Hayes, who was leading the academy at that time. She played for the senior team in a cup match before eventually returning to the Netherlands in 2008.
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Slegers’ career included time at the Dutch club Willem II and Swedish teams Djurgardens and Linkoping. She made her debut for the Netherlands in 2009, earning over 50 caps for the national team and participating in Euro 2013.
Injuries significantly affected Slegers’ playing career. She was unable to compete in the 2015 World Cup due to a serious pelvic injury that sidelined her for more than a year. An ACL injury prevented her from participating in Euro 2017, and the match in which she sustained the injury—against England in a November 2016 friendly—marked her final appearance. She announced her retirement in early 2018.
Foray into management
Slegers’ coaching career also has its origins at Arsenal. As part of UEFA’s Coach-Mentor Programme, she was paired with Joe Montemurro, who was the Gunners’ manager at that time. She even participated in a visit to the club as part of the program.
The Dutch coach had tenures with the Sweden under-23 team and Rosengard’s B team before becoming the assistant coach for the Rosengard senior team under Jonas Eidevall. When he departed the club midway through the 2021 season to take over at Arsenal, Slegers was elevated to the head coach position.
She secured consecutive Swedish league titles at the club before leaving in 2023. She joined Arsenal in September of that year as part of Eidevall’s staff.
Becoming a European champion at Arsenal:
A challenging start to the 2024-25 season led Eidevall to resign, and for the second time in her career, Slegers took over as head coach.
Initially appointed on an interim basis, she was confirmed in the role permanently after achieving 10 wins in her first 11 matches.
Under Slegers’ leadership, Arsenal embarked on an extraordinary journey in the Women’s Champions League. They came from behind to eliminate Real Madrid and OL Lyonnes in the quarterfinal and semifinal, respectively, before achieving a surprising 1-0 victory over defending champions Barcelona in the final. She became only the second manager in the club’s history to secure the Women’s Champions League title.
