England Lionesses: The team behind the team
Written by Training Ground Guru — July 5, 2019
ENGLAND LIONESSES - pen pics of the coaching and performance personnel.ENGLAND LIONESSES - pen pics of the coaching, performance, medical, analysis and operations personnel for the European champions.
COACHING
HEAD COACH
Sarina Wiegman
Nationality: Dutch
Former midfielder who won 104 caps for Holland, many of them as captain. Appointed manager of ADO Den Haag Women in 2007 before becoming assistant with Netherlands Women in 2014 and then Head Coach in January 2017. Propelled her home nation to third in the Fifa world rankings and is widely regarded as one of the best international coaches in the women’s game. Appointed England Head Coach in September 2021, with FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham describing her as “the outstanding candidate from a very strong field.”
ASSISTANT
Arjan Veurink
Nationality: Dutch
Has worked with Wiegman since 2017. The duo led Holland to the European title in the same year and reached the final of the 2019 Women’s World Cup. Was previously Head Coach of FC Twente's women team, who won the KNVB Cup, four championship titles and qualified for the Uefa Women's Champions League under his leadership.
ASSISTANT
Geraint Twose
Nationality: Welsh
The Welshman formerly worked at Cardiff City Academy. Was at the club for a total of 17 years. Joined the FA in May 2013 as a youth coach developer and has also worked with England Men’s U15s. Role as England Women’s Assistant has seen him work on one World Cup, two European Championships and with Team GB at the Olympics.
GOALKEEPER COACH
Darren Ward
Nationality: English
Spent five years with Sheffield United and was credited with helping Dean Henderson become an England player during his two years on loan at Bramall Lane. The stopper described him as “the best goalkeeping coach I’ve ever worked with.” Joined the Lionesses in 2021.
PERFORMANCE AND MEDICAL
HEAD OF MEDICAL
Ritan Mehta
Nationality: English
Has worked in football for 14 years at a variety of levels, including in the Premier League, Championship and internationally. Joined FA in 2014 and has supported England Women and Men at senior level and also the youth teams. Works as a consultant in sport and exercise medicine in private practice at the Fortius clinic, Centennial medical Care clinic and also for Reading football club.
PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE PATHWAY LEAD
Martin Evans
Nationality: Welsh
Joined the FA in 2017, having had extensive experience in other sports. Was Lead Strength & Conditioning Coach for British Cycling from 2011-2017, S&C coach at Sport Wales from 2008-2011 supporting triathlete Helen Jenkins and S&C with Wales U20s and Cardiff Blues prior to that.
HEAD OF PSYCHOLOGY
Dr Kate Hays
Nationality: English
Joined FA in October 2021 after more than seven years in a similar role with the English Institute of Sport. Has worked as a sport psychologist and been part of multidisciplinary teams for 20 years. Has worked across a range of different sports and supported athletes competing in major events including World Championships and Olympics Games.
LEAD PHYSIO
Alicia Tang
Nationality: Australian/ Chinese
Has held the role since November 2016 and worked at a number of major tournaments. Formerly Head Physio for the Chinese Olympic team.
PHYSIO
Emily Whatling
Nationality: English
Consultant. Previously worked for GB and England men's hockey.
OPERATIONS
GENERAL MANAGER
Anja van Ginhoven
Nationality: Dutch
Was a player in her native Holland before moving into PR and communications. Has worked for Dutch broadcaster NOS as well as Discovery IC and Eurosport. Was General Manager with Holland's Senior Men (2004-2010) and Senior Women (2018-2021) and Wiegman saw her as a key person to bring on board with England.
ANALYSTS
LEAD PERFORMANCE ANALYST
Tom Murray
Nationality: English
Also worked with England Women at the 2020 Olympic Games.
PERFORMANCE ANALYST
Ross Williams
Nationality: Welsh
Joined FA in 2017 and worked with men's and women's age group teams before current role started in 2021.
