England boss Sarina Wiegman to get statue regardless of result in Spain Women's World Cup final
Sarina Wiegman has guided England to the final of the Women's World Cup
PA
England boss Sarina Wiegman is in line for a statue regardless of whether the Lionesses beat Spain in the Women's World Cup final on Sunday.
The 53-year-old has guided her side to the biggest stage in football after a 3-1 win over Australia on Wednesday.
Goals from Ella Toone, Lauren Hemp and Alessia Russo sent England through, with Sam Kerr's stunning goal not enough for the Aussies.
Wiegman and the rest of the England women's side are now in line for statues at Wembley - regardless of the result against Spain.
England boss Sarina Wiegman is in line for a statue regardless of Spain Women's World Cup final result
PA
The Football Association were granted permission to build the statues after facing calls to honour the side.
Wiegman steered England to victory at the European Championships last summer, with Germany beaten in the final.
And the FA's chief executive Mark Bullingham says discussions with Brent Council have been ongoing ever since that triumph.
There is currently a statue of the late, great Bobby Moore outside Wembley.
And England are keen to recognise a team that have done the country so proud during their time at the tournament so far.
An FA spokeswoman supposedly says the matter is 'definitely a work in progress' and the location of the statue will be 'in the footprint of Wembley'.
And Bullingham weighed in by saying: “We’ve made progress with the discussions but I don’t think we can announce any more than that yet.
“There are many stages you’ve got to get through. We’ve managed to get through the first stage.
"You have to go through various permissions – we’ve gone through that. The next stage is working on the design.”
He added: “She can have whatever she wants, she’s incredible.
“In terms of statues it’s something we [were] looking at post Euros, we’ve made progress on that and it would be right to have something to commemorate that success outside Wembley.
“Our starting point was more for plans around a collective [artwork] but we’ll see what design ideas come up.
"You can imagine the iconic images that came out of the Euros.
"There are some brilliant things which could be produced. Our starting point is that it’s a brilliant team.
“I don’t know the timescale because it’s not in our hands, it’s obviously related to Brent council. I’m not sure I can give you an answer on that, next few months.”
Bullingham also revealed the Prince of Wales wouldn't be able to attend the final against Spain - but insisted they knew that long before the tournament commenced.
“[That’s] not disappointing at all. We always knew that he couldn’t [travel to Sydney],” he said.
“He came to see the team and wished them well before they left.
"He sent various messages of support and he was really up front that, even if we made the final, he unfortunately couldn’t make it.
"It just sadly wasn’t to be. I know he’s committed to the Lionesses, as he is to the England men as well.
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Prince William won't be in attendance when England face Spain in the final of the Women's World Cup
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"He came to see them before they flew and was explicit in the fact he couldn’t fly.”
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