- Arsenal are in UWCL action against Juventus on Thursday evening
- Renee Slegers will manage as interim for at least one more game
- Defender Emily Fox has nothing but praise for the Dutch coach
Arsenal defender Emily Fox has praised interim manager Renee Slegers and says she would like her to stay on beyond Thursday night’s UEFA Women’s Champions League clash against Juventus.
Slegers, 35, took charge of the Gunners on a temporary basis following the resignation of former manager Jonas Eidevall last month. She has guided the team on a six-game unbeaten run, with just one draw against Manchester United at the beginning of the month.
Arsenal now sit fourth in the WSL standings behind Chelsea, Manchester City and Brighton. In Europe, a victory over Juventus this week would put the north London club in pole position to qualify from their group for the knockout rounds.
It was confirmed a little over two weeks ago that Slegers was set to remain in the post until at least the international break, but an announcement on December’s games against Aston Villa, Valerenga, Liverpool and Bayern Munich is yet to be made. When speaking to the media ahead of Thursday’s clash with Juventus, Fox shared that she would like the Dutch coach to stay on beyond their next game.
“Yes, I think, Renee has been amazing this block, and has shown us what she can do,” the USA international said. “And again, I think we all are focused, and why we've done so well is being focused on the present.
“With that, I think after tomorrow and then the international break, we all kind of disperse and then regroup and see where we're at.”
Arsenal’s form and consistency has drastically improved over the last few weeks under Slegers’ stewardship, and the players have often cited the confidence they are now playing with as a key factor behind their upturn in results. “I definitely think with the coaching staff, we've had a smooth transition in that sense,” Fox continued.
“With Renee, she brings a lot of confidence and is very even-keeled and just straightforward. And I think with that, it brings again, clarity and also freedom with that.
“And again, with accountability, as a team, we all want to do better, and so it's never just one person or one reason why we're doing well or bad. I think just collective responsibility and accountability to kind of come together and make things work and be better.”
Slegers has so far remained tight-lipped over her future in the role, but will have a three day break after Thursday’s clash at the Emirates. Then, she will return to training with the squad as work continues with those who will not be away on international duty.
When asked whether she would like clarity from the club on her future, the interim boss said: “I fully trust the club that they're trying to find the right solution to go forward.”
