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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Shane Ireland

Ex-England star Ellen White makes Sarina Wiegman point in Women's World Cup 2023 prediction

Ellen White has praised Sarina Wiegman as a "proven winner" and expressed confidence in the England manager's ability to lead the team to World Cup victory in Australia and New Zealand this summer.

White, the all-time leading goalscorer for the Lionesses, spoke highly of Wiegman's impact s as England's opening group game against Haiti draws near. With Wiegman having led the Lionesses European Championship last year, she aims to secure back-to-back triumphs in major tournaments this summer.

"It would be unheard of, wouldn't it? (winning the World Cup)," White told PA. "Wiegman won the Euros in 2017 with the Netherlands, reached the final in 2019, won the Euros with England, and what if she goes on to win the World Cup? It would just be insane.

"She's a proven winner. I'm very proud to have her as our manager, and she brings a level of calmness and understanding, a philosophy everyone can get on board with, and I think the whole nation was gripped by her as well (last summer).

READ MORE: Jill Scott predicts how Lionesses will fare at Women's World Cup 2023

"I am fascinated by her, and we are really excited about what this group can do, and I think they can go all the way."

White, 34, highlighted Wiegman's character as one of the main factors behind her success since taking charge in September 2021.

The players have embraced her ideas on the pitch, and White added: "I think her communication (is her best attribute). She's very honest, she communicates what she wants, she speaks to each individual and treats everyone as a person and not just a footballer.

"She wants to know about your family and has that personal kind of empathy as well. She also has a philosophy that everyone can get on board with and understand, it's not too complicated, and then she's really meticulous in her game plan and tactics.

"She's someone we've needed for a number of years, and I'm really excited for her."

This article was crafted with the help of AI tools, which speed up the MEN's editorial research. A Manchester Evening News editor reviewed this content before it was published. You can report any errors to newsdesk@men-news.co.uk*

*You may notice the below message on a small number of Manchester Evening News articles. We like to innovate and this is part of a trial to look at whether AI can help speed up the publishing process. We will always declare where this happens.

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