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      Sarina Wiegman signs new England deal and will lead Lionesses for 2027 Women’s World Cup as fans hail ‘best news ever’

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      SARINA WIEGMAN has signed a contract extension with the England Women’s national team.The new deal will see the Lionesses boss take charge of the team for the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
      Sarina Wiegman has signed a contract extension with the England Women’s teamCredit: Getty
      Wiegman won the 2022 Women’s Euros with EnglandCredit: Getty
      Wiegman has been in charge of the national team since 2021 and led them to success at the Euros the year after her arrival.
      She also got the team all the way through to the World Cup final last year before suffering heartbreak at the final hurdle in a loss to Spain.
      The Dutch boss is widely considered as one of the best managers in the women’s game and last night was voted The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for a record fourth time.
      Wiegman has explained how excited she is to continue on with the national squad in a statement released by England Football.
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      She said: “I am so happy to have the chance to lead England through to 2027 after an incredible two and a half years.
      “Looking forward, we have unfinished business and I know we are capable of even more, although nothing will come easy.
      “Our game is becoming so competitive at the top level. I relish that opportunity and can’t wait to start the EURO qualifiers, followed by the World Cup.
      “I would like to thank Mark Bullingham, Debbie Hewitt and the FA Board for their support. I also must mention Arjan Veurink. I am very delighted he has also extended his stay.
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      Wiegman has said she has ‘unfinished business’ as England boss after the Lionesses’ heartbreak in the World Cup finalCredit: PA
      “It is a fantastic job working with these amazing players and alongside great colleagues. And, of course, it is very special to be able to play a part in giving our fans such wonderful moments.”
      Wiegman will first try and defend England’s title as European champions in the 2025 Women’s Euros before taking charge for the 2025/26 Women’s Nations League too.
      Then she will have a second crack at World Cup glory for the 2027 World Cup with a host country yet to be announced.
      The 54-year-old’s contract is set to expire after the end of the tournament.
      Assistant Coach Arjan Veurink has also signed a new deal and is expected to continue aiding Wiegman.
      Fans have been left delighted at the news of an extension for the pair and took to social media to voice their opinions.
      One hailed the extension as the “best news ever”.
      While another added: “Terrific news. There’s nothing this woman cannot achieve with a fully fit squad. Players play for her, fans adore her and opponents respect her.”
      Wiegman was awarded The Best FIFA Women’s Coach for a record fourth time on Monday nightCredit: Getty More

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      Alessia Russo & Ella Toone stun in see-through outfits as Lionesses dominate Team of the Year XI at Fifa The Best awards

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      ALESSIA RUSSO and Ella Toone both rocked see-through outfits at Fifa’s The Best awards on Monday night.The England duo stunned on the green carpet as the Lionesses dominated the Fifpro Women’s World XI at the glitzy bash.
      Alessia Russo stunned in a see-through outfit at Fifa’s The Best AwardsCredit: AP
      Ella Toone also rocked a see-through look as she posed on the green carpetCredit: Getty
      Russo and Toone were both named in the Fifpro Women’s World XICredit: Rex
      Russo and Toone were pictured in striking black outfits at The Apollo Theatre.
      Arsenal forward Russo wore her hair in a bun as she posed in a glittering all-in-one dress.
      Meanwhile, best pal Toone’s sleeveless look featured feathered shoulders, which she paired with a matching bag.
      Fans praised their style choices on social media, with one writing: “Alessia Russo. That’s the tweet.”
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      Another added: “Alessia Russo, you’re everything.”
      A third fan also commented: “Ella Toone looks absolutely stunning tonight.”
      Both players were included in the Fifpro Women’s World XI alongside five of their England team-mates.
      Mary Earps, Lucy Bronze, Alex Greenwood, Keira Walsh and Lauren James were also rewarded for their Women’s World Cup heroics.
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      Fans hailed Toone’s ‘stunning’ outfit at Monday’s awards ceremonyCredit: Getty
      Russo was dubbed ‘everything’ by one fan on social mediaCredit: Getty
      Spain’s Olga Carmona and Aitana Bonmati, as well as forwards Alex Morgan and Sam Kerr completed the line-up.
      The Lionesses reached the final last summer before a heart-breaking defeat to Spain.
      Russo scored three times during England’s campaign, whilst Toone opened the scoring in the semi-final win over co-hosts Australia.
      Manager Sarina Wiegman was also rewarded by being named best women’s coach for a fourth time.
      As for Earps, she won best women’s goalkeeper ahead of Spain’s Cata Coll and Australia keeper Mackenzie Arnold.
      The Manchester United stopper picked up the award for the second year running after saving a penalty in the World Cup final.
      Meanwhile, Manchester City dominated the Fifpro Men’s World XI with six of their stars making the team.
      John Stones, Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland – beaten to the main individual prize by Lionel Messi – were all included from the treble winners.
      Real Madrid trio Thibaut Courtois, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr also featured alongside Kylian Mbappe and Messi.
      Mary Earps was named best women’s goalkeeper at the awards showCredit: Getty
      Lionesses manager Sarina Wiegman also picked up the best women’s coach awardCredit: Getty More

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       Saoirse Noonan wants ‘underdogs’ Durham to feed off fans energy in Women’s FA Cup duel with Manchester City

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      SHOCKING Manchester City in the Women’s FA Cup today would be a dream come true for Durham midfielder Saoirse Noonan.Like childhood pal and Luton winger Chiedozie Ogbene, Noonan wants to keep her side’s run going.
      Republic of Ireland ace Saoirse Noonan hopes Durham can give Manchester City a run for their money in their FA Cup clash laterCredit: Sportsfile
      Noonan and her team-mates host the WSL title chasers in a fourth round lunchtime clash todayCredit: Alamy
      Prem ace Ogbene, 26, faces a third-round replay at Bolton on Tuesday while Noonan, 24, wants to help her second-tier Wildcats to an upset against the visiting WSL giants.
      The Irish pair grew up on the same estate in Cork and Noonan said: “We came through the same ranks of playing Gaelic football with Nemo Rangers and both went on to play football for Cork City.
      “We grew up across the road from each other. We (my Dad and me) used to collect Chiedozie every day and bring him to training.  
      We came through the same ranks of playing Gaelic football with Nemo Rangers, our local club, and then we both went on to play (football for) Cork City.
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      “My Dad was coaching my brother’s (football) team, so I trained with them
      “Then we both moved on from there and we both played for Championship sides.  From there, he excelled in the Premiership.
      “He is one of the (league’s) fastest players beating the likes of Manchester City’s Kyle Walker.  
      “I think just looking at that gives everyone a bit of hope and (that’s) definitely so for me when I speak to him.”
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      This lunchtime Noonan and her pals face City in a fourth-round clash set to be attended by a sell-out crowd at Durham University’s Graham Sports Centre.
      The match comes 11 months after Durham, who are sixth in the Women’s Championship and six points off promotion chasing leaders Birmingham, faced Man United in the FA Cup.
      Last February the Wildcats fell to a 5-0 fifth-round loss to Marc Skinner’s aces.
      However, this year Noonan hopes her team can give the Red Devils’ neighbours a run for their money.
      Durham are one of only two sides left in the contest who are standalone women’s teams unaffiliated with a men’s club.
      She added: “We’re Durham, and we’re a small team with no men’s team backing (us).
      “That just goes to show the hard work of everyone and commitment by everyone.
      “It’s 90 minutes and we have them at home which is obviously a huge help to us.
      “We’re on a 4G (pitch) and maybe it’s a slightly smaller pitch than there used to. 
      “This is a huge day for Durham. All our fans are coming and it’s sold-out.
      “We just need to bounce off that, use their energy, feed off it and come to the game with loads of energy.
      “We can’t shy away and we cannot go in with fear. We have respect for their players.
      “But at the end of the day we have to try just as hard as them and not give them the respect and stand back and leave them to boss us off the pitch.”
      Like Ogbene, Noonan began her senior association football playing career at Cork City in 2015 after playing Gaelic football.
      And she hopes their journeys in the game can inspire young footballers back home dreaming of playing in the professional game.
      Noonan said: “For me growing up, we didn’t have as many female role models playing professional football.
      “It wasn’t a thing that you could say, ‘I’m going to go and make it my full-time job.
      “I think I’m blessed enough that I get to wake up every morning and my job is going to kick a ball around.
      Noonan hopes she and her childhood pal Chiedozie Ogbene can inspire young footballers back home in CorkCredit: Alamy
      “But we’ve (Chiedozie and me) have worked hard enough to get to where we are.
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      “I think it shows now when I go home, the little girls can think, ‘I can do that as a living, and I don’t have to do 101 thing is just kick a ball on Tuesday evening’.
      “You can actually make it your life.” More

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      Emma Hayes ‘gutted’ for Sam Kerr following Chelsea star’s knee ligament injury with striker to undergo operation

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      EMMA HAYES admits to feeling “gutted” for Sam Kerr after revealing the Chelsea ace is undergoing surgery today following her season-ending knee injury .The Blues striker, 30, ruptured an anterior ligament during her club’s winter training camp in Morocco.
      Sam Kerr will miss the rest of this season after sustaining an ACL injury during Chelsea’s winter training camp earlier this monthCredit: PA
      Emma Hayes says the Kerr’s team-mates and the club will be there to support her with her rehabilitation and recoveryCredit: Getty
      Hayes, whose side will face West Ham in the Women’s FA Cup on Sunday, says the Australia ace suffered the injury whilst practicing her shooting.
      The Chelsea gaffer told Sky Sports: “I’m gutted for her. I’m gutted for the team.
      “These things happen in football, she knows that.
      “I think the important thing is we’re here to support her. The recovery and the rehab begins today.
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      “She did it doing a football action she does every day, turning and shooting. It’s something very simple and innocuous.”
      Since her January 2020 Blues debut Kerr has been a key players for the WSL leaders helping them win three WSL titles, three FA Cups and two Conti Cup trophies.
      This season the striker, who has been serving as a stand-in skipper for crocked club captain Millie Bright, notched up four goals in eight top-flight games
      And she scored five times in four Champions League matches.
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      While Hayes admits Kerr’s presence on the pitch will be missed, she insists the focus needs to be on players who are fit with Chelsea chasing a seventh WSL crown and Champions League glory.
      Chelsea’s fourth round Women’s FA Cup clash with West Ham could see Nathalie Bjorn make her debut for the club after signing from EvertonCredit: Getty
      The Blues gaffer, who will leave the club at the end of this season to become USA Women’s head coach, added: “I know Sam would expect me to say nothing less than our focus has got to be on the players that are fit.
      “We have a quality squad and it’s a good challenge for me as a coach to find those solutions. I trust in the squad that we have.
      “We’ve added to that as well. I think the focus and the attention has to go on the players that are here.” More

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      Sweden ace Nathalie Bjorn aims to ‘win as much as possible’ with Chelsea after switch from Everton

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      NATHALIE BJORN hopes to help Chelsea maintain their trophy-winning ways after sealing a transfer from WSL rivals Everton.The Sweden international, 26, was announced as the WSL leaders’ newest player on Wednesday after two-and-a-half years with the Toffees.
      Chelsea reportedly beat off competition from Real Madrid to sign Nathalie BjornCredit: Getty
      The former Everton centre-back has joined the club who are chasing a seventh WSL titleCredit: Getty
      The league leaders, who face West Ham in the Women’s FA Cup on fourth round on Sunday, are reported to have met Everton’s release clause for the player earlier this week.
      It is thought they paid a six-figure sum for the versatile, central defender who can also play in midfield.
      The move saw the club beat off competition from Spanish giants Real Madrid.
      The LaLiga Women’s side are thought to have been keen on signing Bjorn who had made 44 WSL appearances for her former club.

      Of her Chelsea switch, the ex-Toffees ace said: “It feels amazing to sign for one of the biggest clubs in Europe I can’t wait to get started to play the big games.
      “This league is a really, really good league. I would say it’s the best league we have in the world right now.
      “I want to help the team as much possible, I want to win as much as possible.”
      Blues general manager Paul Green added: “Nathalie is a very experienced, versatile player that we have been tracking for a long time.
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      “She is a leader, has good pace, is good on the ball, and knows our league very well.
      “We are really pleased to get the deal over the line and look forward to seeing her make a good impact in the squad now and over the upcoming years.”
      Bjorn’s arrival sees Emma Hayes’ side strengthen their defensive ranks following injuries to skipper Millie Bright and defender Aniek Nouwen.
      The duo were both sidelined last November and December with Bright being treated for a knee concern and Nouwen rupturing a knee ligament while on national duty with the Netherlands.
      And the six-time WSL champions were dealt another injury blow this month with stand-in captain and star striker Sam Kerr crocked.
      The Australia skipper sustained an anterior cruciate ligament whilst away on a winter training camp in Morocco with her club pals.
      Bjorn, who joined former club Everton in 2021 from Swedish giants Rosengard, made 44 top-flight appearances for the Toffees.
      Bjorn’s Chelsea move will see her play alongside Sweden international team-mates Zecira Musovic and Johanna Rytting KanerydCredit: Reuters
      And she helped them finish sixth last season.
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      The centre-back, who began her career in 2012 at Vaksala SK, was part of the Sweden side that finished third in the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand last August.
      She also helped her national side to a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics women’s football tournament in Japan. More

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      Derby Women’s clash ABANDONED after defender Megan Tinsley suffers horror injury and medics rush to help

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      A Women’s National League game was abandoned this afternoon following a “nasty injury” to full-back Megan Tinsley.The match between Derby County and Liverpool Feds was paused with just a few minutes left to play following the incident.
      Derby’s match against Liverpool Feds was abandoned following a serious injury to Megan TinsleyCredit: Rex

      It was later confirmed that it had been abandoned entirely.
      A tweet from Derby County read: “We can now confirm the match has been abandoned. We wish Megan a speedy recovery.”
      Liverpool Feds also sent well wishes to Tinsley with a tweet reading: “The game has been abandoned. All our thoughts are with the @DCFCWomen player and we wish her a speedy recovery.”
      Derby later confirmed that the full-back had dislocated her ankle.
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      A statement read: “As an update we can confirm that Megan Tinsley dislocated her ankle in the closing minutes of the game. She is now on her way to the hospital for treatment and in good spirits.
      “Thank you for your messages and joining us in wishing her a speedy recovery.”
      Derby were leading 2-1 before the match was suspended.
      Chantelle Thompson opened the scoring for Feds in the seventh minute.
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      However, the Rams bounced back with two late goals in two minutes from Charlotte Steggles and Eleanor Ashton.
      Derby currently sit sixth in the Women’s National League North Division, two points behind Liverpool Feds.
      Fans took to X, formerly Twitter, to wish Tinsley well following her injury.
      One person wrote: “Best wishes to Megan, I hope she makes a full recovery.”
      Another said: “Sending all my love and wishing Meg a speedy recovery!”
      A third commented: “Our very best wishes for Megan to recover quickly and fully from this injury. Such rotten luck.”
      Tinsley celebrated her 26th birthday on Wednesday.
      Last January she opened up about how a heart condition put her playing career on pause.
      Speaking to BBC Radio Derby, the full-back bravely revealed that she had surgery to fix a hole in her heart as a child.
      She said: “I went to the doctor about it because you are hearing about all the footballers who have collapsed on the pitch.
      “With different sports people having trouble with their heart, and because I had that surgery, I was thinking ‘am I a bit of a higher risk? Could the worst happen?’
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      “It got to a point where my heart was beating really, really fast, I was getting a few chest pains.
      “The fact I could feel my heartbeat through my ears wasn’t the best thing. That’s when you put health before anything else.” More

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      Chelsea blow as Sam Kerr suffers devastating injury during warm weather training camp and faces months on sidelines

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      CHELSEA striker Sam Kerr suffered a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament during the club’s training camp in Morocco this week.An official club statement read: “Chelsea Football Club can confirm striker Sam Kerr has sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during our warm weather training camp in Morocco.
      Sam Kerr has suffered a ruptured ACLCredit: Alamy
      “Sam will be assessed by a specialist in the coming days and then begin her rehabilitation with the club’s medical team.
      “The Australia international signed for the Blues in 2019 and has gone on to score 99 goals in 128 matches.
      “She has played a pivotal role in four Women’s Super League title wins, three FA Cup triumphs, two Women’s League cup victories, and the Women’s Community Shield in 2020.
      “Everyone at Chelsea would like to wish Sam the very best for her recovery.”
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      Kerr is now set to miss the remainder of the season and could spend at least nine months on the sidelines.
      Chelsea returned to training this week following the Women’s Super League winter break.
      The Blues return to competitive action against West Ham next week in the FA Cup fourth round.
      Kerr’s injury is a huge blow to the reigning WSL champions.
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      Chelsea currently sit top of the table, three points above Manchester City.
      They are also the only English team still in the Champions League this season.
      Kerr’s current Chelsea contract expires in June, meaning she could leave on a free transfer.
      The Blues have already confirmed the departure of manager Emma Hayes, who will become manager of the United States Women’s National Team when she leaves West London at the end of the season. More

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      Man Utd legend Roy Keane aims brutal three-word dig at Joey Barton leaving Gary Neville and Ian Wright in stitches

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      MANCHESTER UNITED legend Roy Keane took aim at disgraced ex-midfielder Joey Barton with a hilarious dig that left Ian Wright and Gary Neville in hysterics.Barton, 41, who lost his job as manager of Bristol Rovers in October, recently launched a bizarre attack on women’s football and female broadcasters in the sport.
      Roy Keane and Ian Wright were asked who had spent longer in their jobs – Emma Hayes at Chelsea Women or David Moyes at EvertonCredit: YouTube @The Overlap
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      Manchester United legend Keane joked Joey Barton might know the answerCredit: YouTube @The Overlap
      Keane’s response left Wright in stitchesCredit: YouTube @The Overlap
      Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher also enjoyed the jokey remarkCredit: YouTube @The Overlap
      Barton has been slammed for his comments about women’s football and female broadcastersCredit: Alamy
      The former Manchester City and Newcastle player has received widespread criticism for his comments.
      And Red Devils icon Keane, 52, continued the mockery of Barton during a Stick to Football quiz on The Overlap YouTube channel.
      Keane and Arsenal legend Wright, 60, took on fellow Premier League stalwarts Neville and Carragher in an episode hosted by comedian Paddy McGuinness.
      One question posed to Keane and Wright asked who had spent longer in their jobs – Emma Hayes at Chelsea Women or David Moyes at Everton.
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      As the pair pondered their answer, Neville suggested they use their phone-a-friend option.
      To which Keane hilariously replied: “I might call Joey Barton.”
      He then added a superb three-word follow-up: “Joey would know.”
      The remark left Wright, Neville and Carragher in fits of laughter.
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      And those on social media were loving Keane’s brutal put-down.
      One said: “That Joey Barton comment from Keane on the overlap quiz was exceptional to be fair 😂.”
      Another replied: “Yes Keane! Get innnn!”
      While a third responded: “You tell that mouthy, talentless no nothing, Keano 👍👏.”
      Wright ended up calling Chelsea boss Hayes, 47, who confirmed she will be entering her 12th year as Blues boss in 2024, before she leaves to take over the USA national team in the summer.
      Keane and Wright went with Hayes as their answer and it was correct – with Moyes having left Everton in 2013 after 11 years at the helm. More