Arsenal’s Mead Hails Slegers as ‘Breath of Fresh Air’

Arsenal forward Beth Mead has characterized interim manager Renee Slegers as a “breath of fresh air” and indicated her desire for Slegers to continue at the club “in some capacity.” The Gunners have remained undefeated across four matches since the Dutch national assumed leadership following Jonas Eidevall’s resignation last month. The club has stated that Slegers will continue in her position until at least December. Mead commented, “We’ve obviously worked with Renee for quite a while now – in different roles to what she’s in now – but I think she’s taken to it like a duck to water.” She continued, “It’s been an easy transition. We know what she gives us – the confidence she gives us, we’re playing good football. “As individuals and as a collective, we’re really happy with what Renee is doing for us right now. “She deserves the credit.” Slegers, a 35-year-old former Netherlands international, became Eidevall’s assistant at Arsenal in September 2023. The two had previously collaborated at Swedish club Rosengard, where Slegers later took over from Eidevall in June 2021 and subsequently guided the team to consecutive titles. Mead remarked, “It’s a new chapter starting, kind of, and we’ve got to take the most out of this chapter and keep pushing forward.” She added, “It’s been a breath of fresh air with Renee, [I’m] really enjoying it so far.” When questioned about her preference for Slegers to remain, she replied “always,” further specifying “in some capacity.” Mead stated, “We love having Renee so we’ll be happy whatever she chooses to do.” Slegers has not yet indicated whether she is interested in assuming the position permanently. “I really enjoyed the role I had before and right now I will play this role for the team,” Slegers commented during a news conference ahead of her team’s significant Women’s Champions League match against Juventus on Tuesday (17:45 GMT). She concluded, “About the future I don’t know, I’m just in the moment.” The Gunners currently share three points with Juventus, having secured one win and suffered one defeat in their initial two group stage fixtures.