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Get to know our interim head coach, Renee Slegers

Renee Slegers has taken charge of our women's team as the interim head coach. 

The 35-year-old coach spent time at our academy as a young player before embarking on a career in the Netherlands and Sweden. She racked up 55 caps for the Dutch national side, before switching to the dugout. 

Here's everything Renee had to say when she rejoined the club as assistant coach in 2023:

on joining Arsenal as a coach...

“It’s fantastic. I actually played in the Arsenal Academy when I was 17 years old, so for me of all clubs in England, Arsenal is a special place.

“When I look at the squad and the facilities, it's fantastic to be here.”

on the memories she has from her time at Arsenal as a young player...

“I actually took a walk through Oaklands College last Sunday when we had a day off and all the memories came back. We were living at the college with the other girls and we had a lot of things we did together.

"We went to school together, Alex Scott was one of the teachers in sports psychology, and Kelly Smith was an assistant coach. So I know her from back then and of course, the first team was very successful in those years.

"I remember watching Champions League games and got very impressed by how the first team played when I was a young girl. So yeah, just good memories.”

on why she wanted to join the club as a coach...

“Arsenal's historically a very big club, both men's but especially on the women's side. The league is growing really fast - it's very competitive.

"I was really excited to contribute. And then also looking at the quality of the squad, it’s fantastic."

on how she reflects on her time as a coach at Rosengard...

“A lot of learnings. Of course, you learn in the successful moments. We had a lot of successes which I take with me such as, how do you win?

"But also I've learned from moments that were hard and tough and I think that's when you learn the most. So, a lot of takeaways from my time in Rosengard and I had a really good time there.”