The FA have announced the appointment of Dutch duo Janneke Bijl and Arvid Smit as assistant coaches for the Lionesses after this summer’s European Championships.
They will replace Arjan Veurink, who is leaving Sarina Wiegman’s setup to become Netherlands head coach after the tournament.
Bijl, a former Dutch international, has been the Netherlands’ senior assistant coach since 2023. She was forced to quit her playing career at the age of 29 due to injury and has been on the coaching pathway ever since.
Smit, meanwhile, has been assistant coach of the Netherlands since 2019. He has been part of the Dutch coaching staff in four major tournaments.
“I am delighted to add Janneke and Arvid to our coaching staff,” Wiegman said. “They both have significant coaching experience at national-team level which will be vital to our mission of qualifying for the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. The bar is being raised with every tournament, and we need the very best approach if we are going to continue challenging the top teams.”
“As well as the quality they will bring to our training sessions and match planning, I have real trust in how they work and how they can complement the rest of the technical team and our environment. I know they are excited by the challenge ahead and I am sure the players will also enjoy working with them.”
Darren Ward will continues as goalkeeping coach while Geraint Twose, will become the Lionesses’ lead transition coach, supporting the development and progression of players between the pathway and seniors.
With the imminent departure of Kay Cossington, Gavin Step will become interim women’s technical director while Emma Coates has taken over the leadership of women’s development teams on an interim basis. She will retain her role as Head Coach of the U23s while Lauren Smith will lead the U19s into their European Championships in Poland next month.
