Renee Slegers has earned key Arsenal role as fixture change gives Chelsea and Man City boost
It has been nearly a month since Arsenal Women last played, one which would not only cement the position that they are very much back following a tough start to the season but potentially solidify the case for Renee Slegers to become the new head coach following last year’s departure of Jonas Eidevall. A lot has happened during the winter break including the aforementioned Eidevall opening up about his time with the club.
Arsenal take on Crystal Palace at Meadow Park on Sunday, January 19 with a chance to move above Manchester City and into second should results go their way. Equally, Manchester United, also on 21 points, are on their tails too and will be looking to take advantage of any slip.
While the WSL title itself appears already to be out of the Gunners’ hands as the problems under Eidevall have sadly taken a significant hammer blow to their tally, the momentum will be vital to hold as other competitions open up for Slegers’ side. For the record, the gap to the Blues remains seven points with Chelsea playing ten, winning nine and drawing one.
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It is the Manchester derby this weekend and therefore it does offer the Gunners a chance to make ground on at least one of the two sides should they beat Palace. However, news is still yet to be confirmed of whether Slegers will be taking on the team permanently.
It would seem perhaps very strange not to hand Slegers the role after ten wins and one draw in eleven matches. Arsenal Women’s last female boss was Shelley Kerr who took over during the 2023-14 season.
Kerr was only the second female to take the role after succeeding Laura Harvey. While interviews have taken place with several candidates, football.london understands, Slegers is best placed to take on the role full-time.
Eidevall spoke openly and positively about Slegers who he brought to the club in 2023. In fact, he gave her his blessing and recommendation to be the new head coach.
“I find Renée to be a great leader,” he told Aftonbladet. “She’s got good values, strong football knowledge and it makes me very happy to see the good results and performance that she, the team and the coaching team have put together and I really hope that people see the opportunity for them to continue. I think that would be the best thing for the club.”
One of the competitions the club remains in is the Women’s FA Cup. They were initially due to face Bristol City on January 12 however due to a frozen pitch the game needed to be rescheduled and unfortunately, despite hopes that the Gunners would play just a few days later, the game will now take place on January 29 between clashes with title rivals Chelsea and Manchester City.
Arsenal remain still in the Women’s League Cup too and that will be their second game after the break concludes. They travel to Brighton where they will be looking to continue their fine record in the competition.
In regard to the UEFA Women’s Champions League, Arsenal finished above Bayern Munich thanks to their impressive victory over the German club. They will learn their fate on February 7 when the draw for the quarter-finals of the competition is made and will face one of the runners-up from the other groups: Manchester City, Real Madrid and Wolfsburg.
Lastly, the January transfer window is also open and when the decision is finally made on the head coach role, this should open up much more dialogue on that front regarding moves. When sporting director Edu resigned a couple of months ago, this saw an end to his oversight on both the men’s and women’s side of the team.
Interim sporting director Jason Ayto has since stepped into the role and has the support of managing director Richard Garlick and director of women’s football Clare Wheatley. However, so far there has been nothing to suggest any moves are imminent.
One player who could leave is Katherine Kuhl who has continued to struggle for minutes under both Eidevall and Slegers and the 21-year-old would be open to an exit. Everton have been keen on the player after a half-season loan spell with the side who have since sorted out their ownership situation.
Arsenal take on Crystal Palace on Wednesday January 22 at 19:15 UK Time.