It’s been 94 days since Jonas Eidevall walked out of Arsenal. The Gunners have played 11 games since that gloomy day in October, winning 10 and drawing one. The uptick has been pronounced, in both results and performance, and the individual credited is Renee Slegers.
Numerous coaches from around the world were considered for Arsenal’s permanent position, but none with such a compelling record in the hot seat. Slegers was the candidate fortunate enough to already be on the inside – an obvious advantage – but her graduation from interim boss is no less deserved.
Some billed the Dutchwoman as a shoo-in, this journalist included, but such commendation has been earned with results obtained the ‘Arsenal way’, and with an impressive show of strength to make a clean break from adversity.
Simply, she has been the club’s steadying hand.
Arsenal are flying under interim boss Slegers, having won 10 of 11 games under her leadership
The process to replace Eidevall is understood to have been rigorous and thorough, with as much focus on playing style and philosophy as there was on a vision for immediate and long-term success.
Arsenal were consistently close during the Swede’s three years in charge – winning two Conti Cups – but it was unilaterally felt that by the end the team had lost its way. Fine margins though they were, performances had dropped off, results were poor, and the club’s relationship with its rich fanbase was beginning to dwindle.
Reality had set in. Arsenal had a good side in there somewhere, but it was hiding beneath a cloud of burden and pressure. Eidevall told Sky Sports himself that his presence was only dragging the players further into the mire and his rather abrupt exit was intended to arrest that slide.
By contrast, if Eidevall was a cloud, Slegers’ leadership has been like a breath of fresh air. Her style – confident and direct – has resonated with the dressing room, who have began to thrive and play with expression and freedom again.
If the term ‘interim’ had been a distraction, it hasn’t shown. Slegers never viewed herself as merely holding the fort.
Arsenal headed into the winter break with four straight wins in the WSL, their best run of 2024 and best winning end to a calendar year since 2019, having started the season with one win from their opening four games.
And they were not inherently bad by Eidevall’s end, just laboured and lacking in creation. The direction felt off.
Slegers’ direct style has had a positive effect on Arsenal’s dressing room
Enter Slegers, a coach who leaned on her existing trust and credit within camp to build a structure that better suited Arsenal’s approach. Her three-month unbeaten run in all competitions is testament to small tweaks that have made the plan clearer.
Most notably, players have spoken publicly about the calming effect of Slegers’ even temperament. Her style is synonymous with plenty of Dutch coaches currently working within the women’s game – England’s Sarina Wiegman comes to mind – as someone who commands respect with consistency and open communication.
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Arsenal have hit a brilliant run of form in the WSL under Slegers, winning five of six games
“You can see the team growing,” Slegers told Sky Sports in December. “The players want to play a type of football, the Arsenal way. It’s integrated into the club and it’s what we strive for, as many minutes on the pitch as possible.”
Eidevall was always emotional. Outbursts on the sidelines were commonplace and often over the top. Now, the steady voice in the dugout promotes better control. Players want to play for Slegers. They want to win for Slegers.
Striker Alessia Russo’s recent purple patch is perfect proof. Having found the net once in her nine appearances under Eidevall this term, she’s scored 10 in 11 under Slegers. Her all round-play feels more instinctive, as if a weight has lifted, replaced with conviction.
Performance is a fickle thing, and the 35-year-old’s reign will hit a stumbling block at some point, but the magic does appear to be back. Synergy with fans has returned. And the Emirates vibe is once again doing its thing on matchday, bringing with it an energy that is rarely found elsewhere in the WSL.
Slegers has enjoyed a remarkable start, the new manager bounce in full bloom, and has proved her formula is one that can bring short-term success. She has reassured the Arsenal hierarchy that she is the right person to carry the club forward and the players seem convinced too.
Now the hard work really starts. Arsenal have undoubtedly fallen behind rivals Chelsea and Manchester City in the WSL pecking order, and addressing that should be the newly appointed manager’s first port of call.
The WSL returns to Sky Sports screens this weekend. Watch free match highlights from every WSL game across Sky Sports’ digital platforms.
