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Emily KeoghSep 22, 2025, 08:35 PM<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Based in London, Emily Keogh is ESPN’s women’s soccer correspondent, specializing in the WSL and UWCL England<\/a> manager Sarina Wiegman won the Johan Cruyff Award for best manager in the women’s game at the Ballon d’Or awards on Monday.<\/p>\n Wiegman won back-to-back European Championship titles with the Lionesses in July, becoming the first manager to do so.<\/p>\n Dutch legend Ruud Gullit gave out the award and said to Wiegman on stage: “Please, please, please come back to Holland!”<\/p>\n Wiegman replied: “I’m staying in England for a while.”<\/p>\n In her speech, Wiegman took a moment to address the work that still needs to be done in the women’s game.<\/p>\n “What an honour to get this award after an insane summer,” Wiegman said at the ceremony in Paris.<\/p>\n “I would like to thank the players, the staff, the FA and my family for the hard work, trust and unconditional support I got from them. Without you I would not be standing here.<\/p>\n “The women’s game has grown so far, we have broken records. I would also like to thank Switzerland for organising the Euros because it was absolutely insane.<\/p>\n “This is not just a personal honour. I see it as a recognition of the women’s game and of our journey because we have come so far.<\/p>\n “With that recognition we have to take responsibility and try to keep our identity. Being authentic, being inclusive, a place where everyone belongs. I hope we will keep fighting together against misogyny and racism.<\/p>\n “Sport should always unite and never divide.”<\/p>\n Wiegman was nominated alongside Chelsea<\/a> boss Sonia Bompastor and Arsenal<\/a> manager Renee Slegers.<\/p>\nSarina Wiegman won a second Euros crown with England in July.\u00a0Getty<\/p>\n