Interim Arsenal Women’s boss Renee Slegers left ‘shocked’ by Jonas Eidevall resigning as head coach
RENEE SLEGERS admitted to being shocked by Jonas Eidevall’s resignation from his role as Arsenal Women’s boss.
The interim Gunners gaffer refused to be drawn on whether she is keen on doing the job permanently.
Slegers, whose past managerial experience includes leading Rosengard to back-to-back top-flight Swedish titles, was sharing her thoughts on Eidevall’s departure today.
The head coach resigned following a disappointing run of one win from four WSL games and a Champions League group stage opening loss.
The Gunners were trounced 5-2 by Bayern Munich away on October 9.
Former Chelsea midfielder Pernille Harder ran riot netting a 16-minute hat-trick after her team mounted a fightback from 2-0 down.
That defeat was followed by a 2-1 Arsenal loss to the Blues at the Emirates in the top tier last Saturday.
The result led to some Gunners fans taking to social media platform X calling for Eidevall to step down.
The former Arsenal chief coach came under more pressure with a painted “Jonas Out” sign spotted on a wall on a road in north London, just hours after the game.
Slegers, who was informed by Eidevall on Monday of his impending departure, said: “I was shocked by the news and very sad because he’s been a good leader for the staff.
“I’ve worked with him before in Sweden and we worked really well together.
“I’m very sad that it got to this point.”
Eidevall’s departure saw him become the first WSL boss to leave this term following an underwhelming run of results.
His former side are currently sixth and five points behind leaders Man City after four WSL fixtures so far this term.
The team, who are playing all their league home games at the Emirates this season, are currently winless at the stadium after three games there this term.
On whether there is more pressure than ever on women’s football bosses, Sleger adds: “I think especially coming to a big club like Arsenal it is definitely a change.
“Particularly compared to where I’ve come from (in the Netherlands) and in Sweden where I’ve worked before.
“I hadn’t worked in England for so long, but I’ve been following it (the game) from the outside.
“It comes with a lot of positives. It’s alive, it’s big now with lots of fans and supporters.
“A lot of people are involved and engaging which is very positive, but it comes with (situations like) this as well.”
Casey Stoney, 42, who managed Man United Women for three years from 2021, is among the figures rumoured to be linked to the role.
The ex-San Diego Wave chief, who guided the American side to an NWSL Shield and Challenge Cup triumphs, was at the Emirates watching Arsenal last Saturday.
However, the former Red Devils boss is currently not thought to be a candidate, according to BBC Sport.
On whether she wants the job permanently, Slegers said: “Right now I’m just focused on these next two games that are ahead of us.”
Tomorrow Arsenal host Norwegian side Valerenga in at the Emirates in the Champions League.
The team are eager to return to winning ways ahead of a trip to West Ham on Sunday with their last win across all competitions occurring at Leicester on September 29.
Skipper Kim Little said: “Jonas had been our leader for the last few years and he’s made the choice to step away.
“We have a huge amount of respect for him and as a group of players and as a leadership group we have to get the players together.
“It’s a big change but we need to move forward now and change our focus to the game (against Valerenga).
“Ultimately our job is to get out there and play as players and that’s what we need to focus on.”