As this year’s European Championship prepares to kick off, it’s the perfect time to look beyond the pitch and spotlight the tacticians guiding each team. In this article, we’ll explore the key managers and head coaches in every group — and what each brings to the table in their pursuit of European glory this summer.
Group A:
Kicking things off in Group A, we have Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Finland — a diverse mix of footballing nations led by an equally varied group of coaches, from seasoned veterans to emerging talents. The host nation, Switzerland, boasts one of the most recognisable figures in women’s football at the helm: Pia Sundhage. Appointed in January 2024, Sundhage brings with her a legacy of success, having guided powerhouses like the USA, Sweden, and Brazil to Olympic medals, World Cup runs, and continental titles.
Taking charge of a team ranked 25th in the world, Sundhage faces a fresh challenge. Switzerland only made their major tournament debut in 2015, but with a passionate home crowd behind them and a coach of Sundhage’s calibre, they’ll be aiming to punch above their weight. Her deep well of experience could be exactly what this squad needs to rise to the occasion. Everyone loves an underdog story — and this summer, Pia Sundhage might just write another one.
Next up in Group A is Norway, led by manager Gemma Grainger. In contrast to the legendary Pia Sundhage, Grainger enters the tournament as something of an underdog herself. Appointed in January 2024, she previously spent three years as head coach of Wales, where she came heartbreakingly close to qualifying for the 2023 European Championship, only to fall short against Switzerland in the playoff final.
Though she may not yet have Sundhage’s decorated résumé, Grainger now has the opportunity to lead a nation with a proud footballing history. Despite recent struggles – including a disappointing group stage exit in 2023 – Norway remain a team packed with talent. With stars like Caroline Graham Hansen, Ada Hegerberg, and Frida Maanum in the squad, Grainger will be eager to tap into their potential and restore Norway’s reputation on the European stage.
Rounding out Group A are Iceland and Finland, managed by Þorsteinn Halldórsson and Marko Saloranta, respectively. Both coaches bring valuable experience and a clear determination to shake up the group. While they may be considered outsiders, neither team will go down without a fight, especially with the chance to challenge the host nation and stand toe-to-toe with Sundhage’s Switzerland.
Group B:
Turning our focus to Group B, we find a competitive mix of Spain, Portugal, Belgium, and Italy, each led by coaches with different levels of experience and unique stories to tell.
Spain enter the tournament under the leadership of Montse Tomé, who is aiming to restore unity and belief within the squad following the fallout from the Luis Rubiales scandal in September 2023. Previously an assistant coach under Jorge Vilda since 2018, Tomé initially stepped down in protest when Rubiales refused to resign as president of the Royal Spanish Football Federation. However, she has since returned — this time as head coach, making history as the first woman to take on the role for Spain.
So far, her appointment has proven to be a step in the right direction. Under her leadership, Spain triumphed over France in the UEFA Nations League final, earning a coveted spot at the Olympic Games. As she guides a talented and highly motivated squad, Tomé will be looking to keep that momentum going through the Euros.
Turning to Spain’s next-door neighbour, Portugal, we find a team led by one of the most experienced figures in the group — Francisco Neto. Appointed head coach of the Portuguese women’s national team in 2014 at just 32 years old, Neto has been at the helm for over a decade, steadily transforming the team into a rising force in European football.
Before taking the top job, Neto served as the team’s goalkeeping coach and also spent time coaching in India with Goa’s team at the Lusofonia Games. His international experience and long-term vision have paid off: under his leadership, Portugal made history by qualifying for their first major tournament at the UEFA Women’s Euro 2017, repeating the feat in 2022, and reaching their first-ever Women’s World Cup in 2023.
Since Neto took charge, Portugal have climbed an impressive 21 spots in the FIFA rankings and now sit 22nd in the world. The next goal? A deep run in the Euros — and a potential quarter-final berth that would mark yet another historic milestone for the Portuguese side.
Rounding out Group B are Belgium and Italy, each guided by managers who bring both experience and a fresh perspective to this competitive group.
Belgium’s head coach, Elísabet Gunnarsdóttir, took charge in January 2025, with a contract running through to July 2027. Though new to the role, she arrives with a wealth of experience and a decorated coaching career. Twice named Manager of the Year in Sweden’s top division, the Damallsvenskan (in 2017 and 2020), Gunnarsdóttir is known for her tactical acumen and ability to build cohesive teams. Currently ranked 19th in the world, Belgium made their European Championship debut in 2017, exiting in the group stage. In 2022, they reached the quarter-finals, narrowly losing 1–0 to Sweden. While they failed to qualify for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, they’ll see this summer’s tournament as a vital opportunity to reclaim momentum and aim for a deeper run — perhaps even surpassing their previous best.
As for Italy, they’re under the leadership of Andrea Soncin, appointed in September 2023. Since taking charge, Soncin has had a notable impact, steering Italy to the top of their qualifying group and leading a strong UEFA Nations League campaign. One standout performance came in their thrilling 3–2 victory over reigning world champions Spain — a result that could serve as a major confidence boost heading into the tournament. With that kind of form, Italy will be eager to assert themselves in Group B and prove they can compete with Europe’s elite.
Group C:
Moving on to Group C, we have Germany, Poland, Denmark, and Sweden — another strong and tightly contested group featuring a mix of tradition, talent, and ambition.
Leading the charge for Germany, the reigning European runners-up, is newly appointed head coach Christian Wück. He took over the reins following the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Germany secured a hard-fought bronze medal. Now at the helm of one of Europe’s most decorated national teams, Wück will aim to carry that momentum into this summer’s Euros. With Germany’s deep talent pool and storied tournament pedigree, expectations remain high — and Wück’s challenge will be to turn recent successes into silverware. Speaking about his experience at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, he said,
“I followed the entire tournament as a scout, saw and analysed other teams. I passed on the knowledge I gained to my team at the time.”
It’s clear that Wück values meticulous preparation, placing strong emphasis on analysing opposition players — a strategic approach that informs how he trains and structures his own squad. This attention to detail could be key as Germany look to return to their former heights. While they remain a dominant force in European football, their last major title came in 2016 with Olympic gold. Wück and his side will be determined to end that drought and bring silverware back to a nation with one of the richest legacies in the women’s game.
Next, we turn our attention to Poland and their manager, Nina Patalon — a trailblazer in Polish football. Appointed in March 2021, she became the first woman to lead the national team. Her football journey began in 2002 as a player, before transitioning to coaching after retiring in 2010. While Poland are still in the early stages of development on the international stage, there’s no denying the growing interest and investment in the women’s game. Their UEFA EURO qualifier against Romania in October 2024 drew a crowd of 8,849, and their match against Austria reached 600,000 television viewers — signs of a sport rapidly gaining momentum.
Poland may not yet stand alongside European powerhouses like Germany, England, France, or the Netherlands, but their ambition is no less determined. Patalon understands that success is a long-term project, one that requires time, patience, and deep commitment. Reflecting on her work with her former club Medyk Konin, she remarked:
“So much time was needed to shape the players, arrange the game and good cooperation. Until a year ago, ¾ of these women were amateur players — now they have signed professional contracts. This whole process is a huge lesson in humility and dedication.”
Patalon’s leadership reflects this philosophy — grounded in resilience and long-term vision. As Poland prepare to host the FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup in 2026, following their successful hosting of the men’s edition in 2019, it’s clear they are laying the foundations for a brighter future. With Patalon at the helm, Poland’s steady rise in women’s football is a testament to what can be achieved through perseverance and purpose.
The third team in Group C is Denmark, led by manager Andrée Jeglertz. Appointed in the autumn of 2023 following the Women’s World Cup, Jeglertz’s time with the national team is already nearing its conclusion, as this summer’s European Championship will mark his final tournament in charge.
Jeglertz is no stranger to high-level football or success. Back in 2004, he led Swedish club Umeå to a Women’s European Cup title — a squad that notably featured Brazilian legend Marta. His coaching pedigree spans decades, marked by adaptability, longevity, and a commitment to developing both players and playing styles.
With Denmark, Jeglertz has experienced a mixed run of results. While he successfully guided the team to qualification for the upcoming Euros, they fell short of securing a spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics, finishing second in their Nations League group. Still, his leadership and tactical approach have earned respect, and he’ll be determined to end his tenure with Denmark on a high note.
Looking ahead, Jeglertz is expected to take over as manager of Manchester City Women. Club directors reportedly see his technical style and coaching philosophy as a perfect fit for the club’s new direction. That makes this tournament not only a potential farewell to his national team role but also a preview of his next chapter. All eyes will be on how he sets up Denmark tactically — and whether he can guide them to a memorable run before closing this chapter of his managerial career.
Lastly in Group C, we have Sweden and their manager Peter Gerhardsson. As with Jeglertz, Gerhardsson has stated that this Euros will be his final major tournament in charge of Sweden. Having coached male and female sides at club level, Gerhardsson took command of the senior women’s national team following the 2017 Women’s Euros.
Under his eight-year leadership, Sweden have reached the semi-finals at the 2022 Women’s EURO, won bronze medals at two FIFA World Cups, and reached the Olympic final in 2021, losing out to Canada on penalties. Jeglertz will be sorely missed by the Danish squad, not only for his tactical expertise but also for his good-humoured nature and genuine desire to foster a harmonious, well-balanced team environment. It’s clear his players hold him in high regard, and no doubt they will be motivated to give him the send-off he deserves at this summer’s Euros.
Group D:
Finally, we arrive at Group D, featuring France, Wales, the Netherlands, and the reigning European champions, England — a group packed with talent and high expectations.
France are under the leadership of Laurent Bonadéi, who took charge in 2024. He has successfully guided Les Bleues to qualify for this summer’s Euros, but not without making some bold and surprising decisions. Notably, he wasn’t afraid to drop seasoned veterans like Wendie Renard and Eugénie Le Sommer from the squad, signalling a clear intent to reshape the team. Despite these shake-ups, Bonadéi boasts an impressive 100% record in the UEFA Nations League, winning all six competitive matches since his appointment. This summer will reveal just how far his fresh approach can take France on the European stage.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands remain one of the most dominant forces in women’s football. Their manager, Andries Jonker, was appointed in August 2022, with the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand marking his first major tournament. Although the Dutch reached the quarter-finals, their campaign ended in extra time against the eventual champions, Spain. Behind the scenes, it’s known that Sarina Wiegman’s assistant coach, Arjan Veurink, is set to take over as head coach after this summer’s Euros. With the transition looming, all eyes will be on Jonker to see how far he can lead the Netherlands before handing over the reins.
Next, we turn to a less established but determined side — Wales. While they may not yet be a dominant force on the European stage, the Welsh team is led by Rhian Wilkinson, a familiar name in Canadian football. Wilkinson represented Canada as a player from 2003 to 2017 and also had a stint playing club football in Norway. After retiring from playing, she transitioned into coaching, working with Canada’s U17 and U20 teams before moving into senior-level coaching roles.
Since her appointment as Wales’ head coach in 2024, Wilkinson has guided the team to a historic milestone: qualifying for their first-ever major tournament this summer. Although they face a tough group, Wales are the underdogs with plenty of heart, and Wilkinson’s leadership makes her the perfect person to inspire them to punch above their weight. Expect the Welsh side to give their all and fight for every inch on the European stage.
Lastly, we turn to none other than the reigning European champions and 2023 World Cup finalists — England. Their manager, Sarina Wiegman, has been at the helm since September 2021 and has transformed the Lionesses into a formidable force. England’s victory over Germany at Wembley during the previous European Championship was a watershed moment, redefining the trajectory of women’s football in the country.
Wiegman is known for her stability and minimal use of substitutions, carefully curating a well-oiled, cohesive, and tactically disciplined side. While she has faced challenges — including England’s failure to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympics during the 2023-24 UEFA Nations League — the Lionesses remain a powerhouse. Their dominant 6-0 win over Portugal in the Nations League group stage is a testament to their strength and depth. With England, you can never count them out until the final whistle blows.
That resilience and determination is a hallmark of all the teams competing in the 2025 European finals. Their managers and head coaches won’t make it easy for any opponent. Just as the battle rages fiercely on the pitch, the leaders off it will be strategising and competing to claim the top spot on the European stage. Everyone loves an underdog story — but in this tournament, the question remains: is it the players, or the person at the helm, who is the real underdog?
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