Here to stay! Arsenal confirm appointment of Renee Slegers as permanent head coach following sensational run as interim boss

Slegers was appointed Arsenal interim boss in October 2024 after the Gunners parted ways with Jonas Eidevall. The Dutchwoman has since led them in 11 matches, recording 10 wins and one draw. The club have now confirmed Slegers as their permanent head coach and she has penned a deal until the end of the 2025-26 season.

Speaking to club media, Slegers said: "I’m so excited to be continuing our journey together. It’s a wonderful honour to represent this club as head coach and I have so much belief in what we can all achieve together.

"Over the past few months, I’ve felt such a powerful sense of collective ownership and responsibility across our players and staff – that has been our strength and I know we will make sure we drive and nurture this feeling as we all move forward.

"It has meant the world to me to feel the closeness and passion of our supporters during this process, and I want to thank you all for that. We want to deliver something beautiful that’s inspiring and leads to winning trophies. We all have a big part to play in achieving that."

Slegers has already won the hearts of Arsenal fans following their superb 3-2 Women's Champions League victory over Bayern Munich, while their domestic form earned her the Barclays Women’s Super League Manager of the Month award in December. The Gunners' run of five straight wins from five Women’s Champions League group stage matches under Slegers helped them qualify for the quarter-finals.

Slegers will now take on her first game as the head coach of Arsenal when they take on Crystal Palace at Meadow Park on Sunday, January 19.