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| Sarina Wiegman, Manager of England looks on during an England training session at The Lensbury on July 13, 2022 in Teddington, England. |
England Women’s coach Sarina
Wiegman has tested positive for Covid just hours before her
side’s Euro 2022 game
against Northern Ireland.
Having led the Lionesses to a 1-0 win
against Austria and an 8-0
demolition of Norway over the past 10 days, the Dutchwoman is
now set to miss the tournament hosts’ final group-stage match.
A statement released by the FA on Friday morning read: “England Head Coach Sarina Wiegman has tested positive for Covid and will undertake a period of recovery at the squad’s base camp.
“Assistant coach Arjan Veurink will lead the team for tonight’s fixture against Northern Ireland.
“Wiegman will remain in remote contact with the players and technical staff and will be monitored regularly with a view to returning to all elements of her role as soon as possible.”
Friday night’s
clash with Northern Ireland is set to take place at St Mary’s Stadium,
home of Premier League club Southampton, with kick-off scheduled for 8pm.
England enter the fixture with a quarter-final place and top spot in Group A
already secured. Meanwhile, Northern Ireland sit bottom of the group and have
already been eliminated from the competition thanks to defeats by Norway and
Austria.
In their victory over Norway, England
scored more goals than any men’s or women’s team in the history of the European
Championships. The Lionesses are unbeaten in the 16 games they have
played since Wiegman, 52, took over as manager last year.
The former midfielder and defender previously
managed her native Netherlands – whom she captained as a player – guiding them
to the Euro 2017 trophy and a runners-up finish at the 2019 World Cup.
