Women Coaches Make Historic Strides at UEFA Women’s Euro 2025

(The Post News)- The UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 kicks off in Switzerland on Wednesday with a milestone moment for the game, the highest number of female head coaches in the tournament’s history. Of the 16 participating nations, seven will be led by women, accounting for 43.75% of the coaching pool.

While men still outnumber women in the dugout, the progress is undeniable. Just over a decade ago, at Euro 2013, women made up a mere 18.75% of coaches. By 2017, that figure had almost doubled, and it has continued to climb, hitting 37.5% in 2022.

The Female Coaching Network acknowledged the progress, noting that while change has been gradual, it is steady and meaningful.Importantly, female coaches have consistently delivered results. Between 2000 and the 2023 Women’s World Cup, female-led teams won nearly every major women’s football tournament, with Japan’s 2011 World Cup triumph under Norio Sasaki the lone exception.

At Euro 2025, coaching royalty Pia Sundhage leads hosts Switzerland, bringing a wealth of experience from stints with the U.S., Sweden and Brazil. Meanwhile, Rhian Wilkinson (Wales), Elisabet Gunnarsdottir (Belgium), Nina Patalon (Poland), and Gemma Grainger (Norway) make their debuts on the major tournament stage.

Despite gains in football, female representation across sports coaching remains uneven. At the Paris Olympics, women made up just 13% of all coaches, with football faring better than most, but still far from equal.