Yahoo Sports Slegers' 'greatest quality' is to empower people
Arsenal captain Leah Williamson says new head coach Renee Slegers' greatest quality is her ability to empower people.
Slegers, 35, was named the Gunners' permanent head coach on Friday morning, having served in the same role in an interim position for three months since Jonas Eidevall's departure in October.
Under the former Netherlands international midfielder, Arsenal have been unbeaten in 11 matches in all competitions, winning 10 after a poor start to the season.
They head into the second half of the Women's Super League campaign third in the table, one point behind Manchester City and seven behind leaders Chelsea.
Arsenal won just one of their four league matches prior to Eidevall's departure, picking up five points from a possible 12.
Speaking on Slegers' appointment on a permanent basis, Williamson said: "I am glad she got the job. Obviously, results have been great, but the environment has been nice. It's a nice place to come to work, which is important.
"I've spoken to her about this. In my opinion, I think her greatest strength or quality in that role is the empowerment and the way it has worked naturally.
"She's alluded to the fact that she won't change and it is a good way to get everyone to step up and take responsibility, while also empowering people to put in place jobs they have been put in place to do. I'm delighted for her and I hope it stays the same."
'Modest' Slegers has Arsenal's players on board
Slegers is not an unfamiliar face around Arsenal, both internally and externally.
In September 2023, she joined Arsenal as Eidevall's assistant coach and served in the role for 13 months before making the step up.
After Eidevall departed three months ago, Slegers transformed the Gunners from a side who were sixth in the WSL after four games.
Since she took charge on an interim basis, no team has picked up more WSL points than the Gunners. Only league leaders and defending champions Chelsea have managed to emulate that form.
But despite a change in job and the team's fortunes, Williamson has praised Slegers' modest personality.
"It's hard for somebody to stay the same person in the way that they act," added the defender. "Renee is a good person and a strong woman, so I feel like she holds quite a lot of authority in what she says anyway.
"The position that she's [in] getting to know a group of players as an assistant, you have that less pressurised relationship in terms of decision making, then to be put in that role I think puts you in better stead to make those decisions required by a head coach because you know everybody and you know the players.
"I haven't seen her change thus far, which is great obviously because it says a lot about her as a person."
Slegers told the players about her new deal shortly before it was made public.
But rather than focusing on her own big news, she was quick to turn the attention to Swedish defender Amanda Ilestedt who was celebrating her 32nd birthday.
"We all found out today," said Williamson, 27. "She's a very humble person and modest person, Renee.
"She was exceptionally uncomfortable and quickly shifted on to the fact it was Amanda's birthday and we sang happy birthday and that finished the conversation."
How new boss impacted Williamson's 'mentality'
Williamson said Slegers' primary impact on her personally has been to help her navigate difficult periods.
"The biggest impact she's had is my mentality and being perfectly charged," added the England captain, whose side host bottom club Crystal Palace on Sunday.
"I feel like before we used to have a misunderstanding of my passion and the impact it had on the people around me, the impact it had on my performance.
"I appreciate it because I feel like she's looked at me, she's seen me but in a good way. She criticises me, don't get me wrong, but I'm looking forward to seeing the on-pitch role and the way that develops."
Williamson has had a troubled time in recent years, after recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury last season, her 2024-25 campaign was halted by a concussion and illness.
Before Christmas, she enjoyed a rhythm of games and now feels back to her best.
"I just felt like, 'this surely isn't happening again', so I'm glad to see the back of it," said Williamson on her setbacks. "[Now], I feel match fit which is important to me because it means I can just assess performances and not chase it or try to do two things at once. It's just about football.
"I think I finished [2024] strong, I felt [as] strong as I have for a long time really with all of the injuries so I'm very excited.
"There would've been a time where I prioritised the badge. Saying instead of being ill, you need to do it for the club. It's the mentality of the better I am, the more the club get from me instead of bleeding myself dry trying to be the hero."
Arsenal 'still in the title race'
Heading into Sunday's meeting with Palace, their first ever in the WSL, Arsenal are looking to overturn the current seven-point deficit to Chelsea.
Of the nine points dropped by the Gunners in 10 games this season, seven came during Eidevall's tenure.
With 12 games left, Williamson added: "How quickly we fell out of it so to speak at the start of the season, that can happen to anybody so we're ready. We'll chase as much as we can.
"We had a good result before Christmas and picked up points where others didn't which was important. Obviously it's not in our hands, but we're 100% still in the title race.
"I think arguably, this is our worst position that we've been in in the league for the last couple of years at this time of the year, but it doesn't feel like that.
"We know what the job is. We're still in all four competitions and we will manage it."
