'Really inappropriate' - Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman issues fierce response to reports she could succeed Gareth Southgate as England manager

Wiegman labelled talks of her stepping in as Southgate's replacement "inappropriate" in the aftermath of England's win over Sweden on Tuesday night. The Lionesses head coach was adamant she is happy in her current role having helped the European champions qualify for Euro 2025 in Switzerland.

Speaking in her post-match press conference, the 54-year-old said: "I think it’s really inappropriate to have that conversation. I’m with the Lionesses and very happy. He is such a nice person and a great coach. We wouldn’t see each other all the time but when we do see each other it’s very nice and we send messages. What he has done for England Football is really incredible. Of course they made the final now and in the last Euros too. He can be very, very proud of himself. England is very proud of him and me as a Dutch, I’m very proud of him too."

Wiegman sits low down in the odds for who will become the next manager of the men's team, but should she be offered the job, it would mark an historic moment in international football. No woman has coached a nation in the men's game but Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of the Football Association (FA) previously admitted the Dutch tactician could do whatever she wants in football and refused to rule her out of the running for Southgate's seat.

For now, it will be full steam ahead for the Lionesses as they prepare to defend their crown at Euro 2025 next summer. Wiegman has proved she is one of the elite coaches in women's football and will want her team to bounce back from World Cup heartbreak against Spain in the final a year ago.