'I'm very happy' - Renee Slegers reacts to landing Arsenal head coach role | OneFootball

Renee Slegers fronted the media for the first time following her permanent appointment as Arsenal head coach, expressing she is "very happy" to have gotten the job.

Confirmation that Slegers had been awarded the head coach position through to the end of the 2025/26 season arrived on Friday morning, after what was said to be a thorough process conducted by the club.

"I'm very happy to be sitting here now, and we all together made the decision to move forward like this," beamed Slegers. "I've just seen what the players have been doing and how we have been connecting with the staff, the club and with fans as well. So that was really put into my decision to want the job."

"When I got thrown into it, it was very sudden, it was very unexpected, and I was just here to serve the club. Then my period as an interim started growing, it started to get longer. Then you started to see where we were going as a team, and the connection with the fans."

The Gunners went on an 11-game unbeaten run since Slegers took the wheel, winning 10 games and drawing just one. Despite the success, it was the 1-1 draw against United that proved to be the turning point in Slegers's mind.

"The game against Manchester United, when didn't get the three points, we got one point, but we performed really well and the fans were backing us and supporting us," she added. "That was a critical moment for me, knowing there was something we can create here. I am very happy to be sitting here now."

The 35-year-old was thrown into the post after Jonas Eidevall resigned from his managerial role in what was believed to be unexpected terms. Despite the haphazard process, the Dutch boss derived the positives from the chaotic period.

"There have been a lot of learnings in that period," expressed Slegers. "It was a role that I have never done before, so it is interesting to see how I could take on a role like that. It's been full of enjoyment, I've tried to create a light atmosphere where enjoyment and togetherness are very important. I've tried to empower the players and staff."

Leah Williamson reacts to Slegers hiring

Leah Williamson had nothing but praise for Slegers / Catherine Ivill - AMA/GettyImages

Leah Williamson poured out the praise for Slegers following the appointment confirmation, expressing how the head coach has helped her strengthen her "mentality" over recent months.

"I feel like before, we used to have a misunderstanding of my passion and the impact it had on people around me, the impact that may have had on my performance," Williamson admitted. "I appreciate it, because I feel like she's looked at me, she's seen me, and she's critical of me, but in in a good way."

The England captain has previously spoken on the environment that the head coach has nurtured, saying she is "so happy coming into work" since Slegers took charge.

Williamson echoed that sentiment once again: "I am glad she's got the job. Obviously, results have been great, but it's the environment that has been nice. It's a nice place to come to work, which is important. I think her greatest strength or quality in that role is her empowerment and the way that it's worked naturally."