Bompastor v Slegers: ‘It is good to have women in charge’ in the WSL | OneFootball

Sonia Bompastor and Renee Slegers highlighted the importance of female managers in the Women’s Super League ahead of Sunday’s showdown.

Chelsea host Arsenal at Stamford Bridge in the Women’s Super League on Sunday, the result of which could be pivotal in the title race as the Gunners sit seven points behind the champions.

Bompastor and Slegers are among six female managers in the WSL, and ahead of the weekend’s match, they emphasised the importance of representation within the league.

“This is significant [that we are two female managers],” Bompastor said. “It shows that when you have the competence and all the qualities, you can be a manager at the highest level. I think in this league it is good to have women in charge.

“And I’m really glad, and again congrats to Renee, for taking the job – it is well deserved for her. It’s also a good picture for the women’s game to have these two big teams in England with two female managers. It shows we have the qualities to be in those positions.”

Emma Hayes, now head coach of the United States women’s national team, previously called out the lack of female coaches, describing it as ‘a massive issue’.

At the start of the season, there were just four female managers in the top-flight: Rehanne Skinner at West Ham, Amandine Miquel at Leicester, Laura Kaminski at Crystal Palace, and Bompastor.

With Slegers taking charge at Arsenal and Natalia Arroyo newly appointed at Aston Villa, half of WSL teams will have female managers, edging closer to The Football Association’s target of 75% female leadership in the league.

“I’m happy there are more and more opportunities for women in sports in general,” Slegers added. “You see it in different roles. Ideally you will have women working in men’s sport and men working in women’s sport with opportunities for everyone irrespective of gender.

“It is very good [that Sonia & I are here]. It says something about opportunities that are given and how different federations are working to get more women into top roles in football.

“I think UEFA has been pushing this as well – offering scholarships and trying to find ways to get more women into coaching so that’s very positive.”