When you think of the most successful women’s football managers, you would think of these women. Sarina Wiegman, Sonia Bompastor and Emma Hayes. These women have broken records and made the path easier for managers like Renee Slegers to find a place and succeed.
This is what they have won.
Sarina Wiegman
Netherlands Women
- UEFA Women’s Championship (Euro): 2017
- FIFA Women’s World Cup runner-up: 2019
- Algarve Cup: 2018
England Women
- UEFA Women’s Championship (Euro): 2022, 2025
- FIFA Women’s World Cup runner-up: 2023
- Women’s Finalissima: 2023
- Arnold Clark Cup: 2022, 2023
Individual Managerial Awards & Honours
- The Best FIFA Women’s Coach: 2017, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2025
- UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year: 2021–22, 2022–23
- Honorary Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) – honorary damehood (2026 New Year Honours)
Emma Hayes
Chelsea Women
- FA Women’s Super League (WSL): 2015, 2017–18, 2019–20, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24 (7 titles)
- FA WSL Spring Series: 2017
- Women’s FA Cup: 2014–15, 2017–18, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23 (5)
- FA Women’s League Cup: 2019–20, 2020–21 (2)
- Women’s FA Community Shield: 2020
United States Women’s National Team
- Olympic Games Gold Medal (Football): 2024
Managerial Awards & Recognition
- FA WSL Manager of the Season: 2015, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
- LMA WSL Manager of the Season: Multiple seasons (2017–18 to 2022–23)
- The Best FIFA Women’s Coach: 2021, 2024
Sonia Bompastor
Olympique Lyonnais Féminin (Lyon)
- Division 1 Féminine (France): 2021–22, 2022–23, 2023–24
- Coupe de France féminine: 2022–23
- Trophée des Championnes: 2022, 2023
- UEFA Women’s Champions League: 2021–22
Chelsea Women
- Women’s Super League (WSL): 2024–25
- Women’s FA Cup: 2024–25
- FA Women’s League Cup: 2024–25
Managerial Awards & Recognition
- WSL Manager of the Season: 2024–25
- WSL Manager of the Month: multiple months (e.g., Sep 2024, Nov 2024, Jan 2025, Sep 2025)
Bompastor is the most unique of them all due to her dual role as player and manager. The only players to win the Champions League as a manager and player.
But why are women more successful in women’s football?
It is straightforward: they are women. There are elements of relatability and shared experiences. Both the players and managers have likely faced the same injustice and sexism throughout their lives, especially in the world of football. Female managers often share similar life experiences and a deeper understanding of the gender-specific issues their players face, which can build a strong sense of trust and connection.
These managers, especially Sarina Wiegman, are praised for their clear, direct and honest communication, which helps players understand their roles and expectations within the team and ensures everyone has a role and is valued. You will get the most out of the player if they feel needed and trusted.
More factors that sets women’s managers apart from their male counterparts in their emotional intelligence as they blend firm managerial expectations with empathy and a caring side creating a psychologically safe environment where palmers feel valued and supported both as athletes and individuals if that’s them going through personal issues of injuries they beyond the demands and requirements of the job they are not just the boss dishing out demands or orders.
Female coaches serve as powerful role models, demonstrating that leadership roles in the sport are achievable for women and inspiring the next generation of players and coaches.
Women managers often bring different perspectives that can challenge the traditional, male-dominated coaching methods, leading to innovative strategies and improved team dynamics and are focused on holistic player development and teamwork
Sarina Wiegman’s success is defined by her extraordinary consistency and calm leadership on the biggest stages. She is the only manager to have reached the final of every major tournament she has overseen, a reflection of her ability to prepare teams mentally as well as tactically. Her clear communication, emotional intelligence, and unwavering belief in her players create trust and resilience, allowing her teams to perform under intense pressure and repeatedly deliver trophies
Emma Hayes’ success comes from her ability to build and sustain winning cultures over time. She combines elite tactical understanding with demanding standards and constant dialogue, ensuring players are both challenged and supported. Hayes excels at developing individuals within a collective framework, raising professionalism and accountability across her teams, resulting in sustained domestic dominance and consistent success at the highest level.
Sonia Bompastor’s success is rooted in her relentless competitiveness and tactical adaptability. She imposes a clear, aggressive playing identity while managing deep squads effectively through rotation and inclusion. Her attention to detail, willingness to evolve tactically, and ability to maintain high intensity across multiple competitions have enabled her teams to win immediately while continuing to grow and improve.
It is not just that they are women, but their ability to understand people, build strong relationships, and get the best out of their players. The specific skills and experiences many women bring to the role make them highly effective in the women's game. If that means investing in research in pelvic floor health or ACL that works on a deeper level, that can only really occur with a personal connection. These women’s managers are setting the standards, opening doors, and rolling out the red carpet for future women in management, including Renee Slegers.
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