‘Exceptional’ Sarina Wiegman has exceeded my expectations – Baroness Campbell

Baroness Sue Campbell admits her expectations have been “absolutely” exceeded by the “exceptional” Sarina Wiegman in the Dutchwoman’s time as England boss so far.

After her appointment was announced by the Football Association in August 2020, Wiegman, who had overseen Holland winning the 2017 European Championship on home soil and finishing as 2019 World Cup runners-up, started work as Phil Neville’s permanent successor on a four-year deal last September.

England’s first major tournament with her in charge is their own home Euros in July, the provisional squad for which was confirmed last week.

And the team will head into next month’s warm-up matches with a record under Wiegman to date of 11 games, nine wins, no losses, 72 goals scored, two conceded, and a trophy lifted in the form of the Arnold Clark Cup.

Campbell, the FA’s director of women’s football, told the PA news agency: “She’s absolutely exceeded my expectations.

“I’ve worked closely with coaches. I was for many years head of the National Coaching Foundation, working around some of the greatest coaches this country has ever seen – and she’s right up there. She is exceptional.

“And she’s not just exceptional technically and tactically – it’s the manner with which she builds a team, her relationship with players and the team around the team.

She's not just exceptional technically and tactically – it's the manner with which she builds a team, her relationship with players and the team around the team.- Baroness Sue Campbell on Sarina Wiegman

“It’s been a privilege to watch her work, and to be around her. I’m very impressed and I think everybody who works with her will tell you the same story.”

In October 2020 Campbell said England – beaten semi-finalists at their