Sarina Wiegman has revealed her sister told her to win the European Championship with England prior to her death from cancer just before the tournament.
The Lionesses boss took time out from the preparations last summer to be at home in the Netherlands with Diana.
Following the final triumph over Germany, Wiegman kissed a bracelet that had belonged to her older sibling.
She told The Times: “(It was) the saddest moment of my life – she was my best friend. In the Euros you park it. And afterwards, then you get hit a little bit.
“She had told me to seize this prize, and I had just done so. I was still calm, not emotional. The only thing I felt was a deep connection with my sister.
“She said ‘I’ll sit by the post or on the crossbar. I will help a little bit.’ So she was there all the time. It’s still very fresh. The missing part is just a big gap now.”
Diana was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the summer of 2021 and died three weeks before the start of Euro 2022.
“We celebrated life every day,” said Wiegman. “It was so quick, but it was very special too. We had moments to treasure together.”
Wiegman’s success with England, including a run to the World Cup final this summer, has led to speculation she could succeed Gareth Southgate as head coach of the men’s team.
She said of the prospect: “Would women be capable of coaching men? Of course. But I don’t have a goal that I want to coach men.
“(As England men’s boss) every step you take, you’re being watched and you’re being valued and judged, and I sometimes wonder: how much fun is that?”
She said ‘I’ll sit by the post or on the crossbar. I will help a little bit.’ So she was there all the time. It’s still very fresh. The missing part is just a big gap now— Sarina Wiegman on the death of her sister
She also praised the Football Association for its support of the women’s game despite her salary reportedly being only a fraction of that earned by Southgate.
“I’m very happy with how they treat me, how they make everything possible to perform at the highest level, and how also they’re working with the team to get that equal pay,” she said.
“I’m happy in my situation and I feel treated very equally. And I never make my choices based on money, or I would never have started coaching.”
