Renee Slegers: Arsenal manager’s ‘greatest quality’ is to empower people, says Leah Williamson
Slegers is not an unfamiliar face, either inside or outside Arsenal.
In September 2023, she joined Arsenal as Edvard’s assistant coach and worked in this position for 13 months before being promoted.
Slegers transformed the Gunners from a team that was sixth in the WSL after four games following the departure of Edvarr three months ago.
No team has picked up more WSL points than the Gunners since she took charge on an interim basis. Only league leaders and defending champions Chelsea have been able to emulate this form.
Despite the job change and the team’s fortunes, Williamson praised Slagers’ humble character.
“It’s difficult for a person to remain the same person the way they behave,” the defender added. “Renee is a good person and a strong woman, so I feel like she has a fair amount of authority anyway.
“She gets to know a group of players as an assistant and you have less pressure on the relationship in terms of decision-making, and then in that role, I think you’re better able to make the decisions you need to be led by a head coach because you know everyone and you know players.
“I haven’t seen a change in her so far, which is obviously great because it says a lot about her as a person.”
Slagers spoke to players about her new deal shortly before it was announced.
But instead of focusing on her own big news, she quickly turned her attention to Swedish defender Amanda Elest, who was celebrating her 32nd birthday.
“We all know today,” Williamson, 27, said. “Renee, she’s a very humble and humble person.
“She was very uncomfortable and quickly realized it was Amanda’s birthday and we sang happy birthday and the conversation ended.”
