FA warns Wiegman approaches would be rejected as US coach departs

Football Association chief executive Mark Bullingham has warned off rival nations from making an approach for Sarina Wiegman after leading the Lionesses to the Women's World Cup final.

The 53-year-old's stock as a serial winner has risen steadily since securing the European championship trophy with her native Netherlands in 2017, then doing the same with England last summer.

She has now guided England to a first-ever Women's World Cup final, in the process becoming the only manager to do so with two different nations in the showpiece after steering her home country to the same stage four years ago.

Vlatko Andonovski has stepped down as coach of the United States after the four-time champions produced their worst-ever World Cup performance in Australia, exiting in the round of 16.

Jill Ellis, who was in charge of the US winning campaigns in 2015 and 2019, told reporters in Sydney on Thursday that while a search for a replacement should include diverse candidates, the new coach's gender should not be the decisive factor.

Asked if the FA would reject an approach should the United States come courting the three-time FIFA Best award winner, Bullingham instantly replied: "100 per cent. It is not about money. We are very, very happy with her and we feel she is happy.