Renée Slegers is delighted with Arsenal’s Champions League final victory over FC Barcelona (1-0). The Dutch coach finds it surreal that the English club is winning the most important European title five months after her permanent appointment.
“The cup is quite heavy, but it feels good,” Slegers said on Saturday after the match. “Arsenal has long been a pioneer in women’s football. The club was founded in 1987 and won the Champions League in 2007. And now we are back at the top of Europe.”
Slegers is the first Dutch coach ever to win the Women’s Champions League. The 36-year-old coach started the season as an assistant to Jonas Eidevall. After the Swede stepped down in October, Slegers took over on an interim basis. After a strong series of matches, Slegers was permanently appointed in January.
“It has been a super intense year,” Slegers continued. “It has always been an honor for me to work for Arsenal. I played here in the youth team for a year and the club has always meant something special to me.”
Slegers said that she could hardly realize that she had just won the Champions League. “There has already been a rollercoaster of emotions and that will continue tonight. I think I will only really understand and feel this after days.”
Van Domselaar: ‘Slegers Has Laid A Good Foundation’
In addition to Slegers, goalkeeper Daphne van Domselaar and midfielder Victoria Pelova also won the Champions League for the first time in their careers. Van Domselaar played the entire final for Arsenal. Pelova remained on the bench.
“I think Renée has laid a very good foundation and has prepared everyone physically and mentally,” Van Domselaar said about Slegers’ impact. “We just have a very good group: we are one team and are ready for any scenario.”
Due to injury problems, it was still uncertain whether Van Domselaar would participate in the final at all. “It wasn’t the best lead-up to the match. But I worked hard to be fit and I’m glad I succeeded.”
