Huge blow for the Lionesses! Sarina Wiegman's assistant Arjan Veurink set to leave England role this summer to become Netherlands head coach

Veurink has been part of the England coaching staff since Wiegman took over the team back in 2021, playing a key role in the Lionesses' triumph at the 2022 European Championships and their run to the 2023 Women's World Cup final. However, after the reigning European champions conclude their title defence in Switzerland this summer, Veurink will depart to take over the Netherlands national team.

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) knows Veurink well, as he was also Wiegman's assistant when she was in charge of the Netherlands between 2017 and 2021. The two had a lot of success there as well, winning the 2017 Euros and reaching the 2019 Women's World Cup final. Prior to that, Veurink was head coach of Twente's women's team, winning seven trophies in four years despite only being 25 years old when he started in the role.

Veurink, who has signed a contract until the end of the Euros in 2029, said: "This is not only a great challenge and a wonderful new adventure, it also feels like a logical next step in my career. I never made a secret of the fact that one day I wanted to be the manager of the Dutch national team. With over eight years of experience at the very highest level as Sarina Wiegman's right-hand man, first with the Netherlands and now in England, I am ready to stand on my own two feet. The fact that this opportunity has just arisen in the Netherlands makes it extra special. I will now first do everything possible to finish the coming months in England in style."

Nigel de Jong, the technical director of the KNVB, added: "Arjan has a rich history in women's football and has witnessed up close the developments that international women's football has gone through over the past 15 years. He knows what is demanded in the absolute top, but also knows how important it is to keep the connection with the grassroots. We are therefore delighted that he wants to take up the challenge. I am looking forward to working together and to further build on the success of the Dutch national team. Finally, we would also like to thank the English Football Association (FA) for their cooperation."

Veurink will actually be an opponent of the Netherlands before he departs his role with England, as the two nations are set to face off in the group stages of this summer's Euros. Both are among the favourites to emerge victorious from the tournament, as the winners of the two previous editions.

There is other work for the Lionesses to do before Veurink says farewell, too. England will be in Nations League action again at the end of May and the start of June, looking to qualify for the finals of that competition. The FA, and Wiegman, also have the task of replacing their assistant coach on their agenda, which will not be easy given how long Veurink and Wiegman have worked together.