England boss Sarina Wiegman talks candidly about losing sister ahead of Spain Women's World Cup final
Sarina Wiegman has talked about the death of her sister ahead of England's clash with Spain
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England boss Sarina Wiegman has opened up on the tragic death of her sister last year.
The Dutchwoman is close to guiding the Lionesses to a first-ever World Cup triumph, with Spain lying in wait in Sunday's final.
Last year, before England went all the way at the European Championships, Wiegman's sister sadly passed away.
Now, speaking to The Independent, she's opened up on the impact that's had on her - both as a person and as a manager.
England players love having Sarina Wiegman as their manager ahead of Spain Women's World Cup final clash
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“I’m a pretty positive person but of course I also have feelings," said the 53-year-old.
“I feel very privileged to work with this team. It has been so great.
"You have some setbacks with some players that got injured, which was very sad for them, but then you have to switch and say: ‘OK, this is the group of players we think are the best and this is the team now. We are going to go to the World Cup with them.’
“Then of course there are still things in my personal life.
"When someone passes away who is really close to you, you don’t just say: ‘Oh, it’s two months now, it’s gone.’ I have strategies but of course sometimes that’s still sad and it is challenging for me too.”
Wiegman has guided England to six victories in a row at the tournament so far.
And she opened up on changing her formation in order to coax the best from her squad.
She added: “During the tournament in the first two matches we were struggling a little bit and we had moments where we played really well but we also had moments where we were a little bit vulnerable.
"So, after the second match, Arjan [Veurink, assistant manager] came to me and said: ‘Sarina, let’s sit down, isn’t this the time to go to 3-5-2?’
“I said: ‘You’re completely right, this is the moment’.
"With how the squad is built, and the players available, we can get more from the players and their strengths in this shape. So then we changed it.”
Wiegman is known for being a tough talker, a manager that takes no nonsense and is up front with her players.
Those methods have paid off, with England already champions of Europe - with the mantle of World Cup winners potentially set to follow.
And Wiegman shed light on adjusting, saying: “I tried to learn a little bit more about the English.
“The sayings sometimes are a problem, so I’m trying to learn a little bit more.
"I do think I understand the people a bit more but English people are very polite and sometimes you go ‘OK, are you now being polite or are you really saying what you mean?
“And that’s sometimes finding a balance, because you don’t have to be rude to be direct, so I ask the players and the staff: ‘You can be honest’. It doesn’t mean that you’re rude. Just be direct.”
Should England beat Spain, the country will have a football World Cup win to celebrate for the first time since 1966.
There's been talk of Wiegman potentially being given a damehood if history is made.
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And she's also in line for a statue outside Wembley Stadium, too.