Arsenal Women have rewarded Renee Slegers with a three-year contract extension. The news comes as the Women’s Super League returns to action this weekend, and the Gunners are hoping to make inroads into the eight point deficit they have on leaders Manchester City.
Slegers led the North London side to the Champions League title last May, the second time the club has won the top honour in women’s European football. Although the team has had a stuttering start to this seasons league campaign they do remain in the hunt in what has become a season where predictability has gone out the window.
As well as being in contention in the league, they also have a semi-final date with Manchester United in the Subway Women’s League Cup at the end of the month, as well as a two-legged first knockout phase in the defence of their Champions League crown in February against OH Leuven.
Upon signing the extension, her current deal due to run out at the end of this season, Slegers said.
“I’m immensely proud to have shared this journey with Arsenal – a club that means so much to me and to so many people. I’m delighted to have signed a new contract here as I believe we have so much to achieve together this season and in the years to come.”
Former England striker Jodie Taylor has also stepped up in her role in the backroom staff, and will now play a major part as technical director, meaning she will work closely with Slegers going forward. Slegers told the Arsenal website about her joy on signing the new deal that will keep her at Arsenal until 2029.
“That of course feels very good and I’m grateful for the opportunity and the belief of the club that this is the direction we want to go. So I’m really grateful for that. But also huge responsibility on me to make things happen and make the team, the football and everything around it, make that go in the right direction and that’s on me to deliver and then from a bigger picture perspective, I think if you have more time then I believe you can do things that are more sustainable.