Anna Signeul is celebrating 10 years in charge of Scotland national women's team - by signing a new two-year contract. Signeul joined the SFA in March 2005 and has agreed a deal that will see her stay in Scotland until the end of the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifying campaign. Signeul, who was included on the short list for the FIFA World Coach of the Year for Women’s Football in 2013, has presided over a period of sustained growth for the Scotland women's national teams. She has led the A squad to their highest-ever world rankings (11th in Europe and 19th in the world in March 2014), reached back-to-back UEFA Women's Euro play-offs (for the 2009 and 2013 tournaments), and qualified for a historic first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup play-off last year. Scotland have also reached three UEFA Women's Under-19 Championship finals tournaments (2008, 2010 and 2014), and the women's under-17s qualified for the finals for the first time in 2013. She has overseen the opening of the Women's National Performance Centre at the University of Stirling in 2009, and subsequent regional centres, preceding the introduction of the Scottish FA Performance Strategy in 2011. She also worked closely with the Scottish Government, sportscotland Institute of Sport and players’ employers to secure individual athlete funding and additional performance support for women's A squad players in 2013. The Government funding allows players to work less and train more, with the aim of narrowing the gap on nations whose players are full-time professionals.
Anna Signeul (c) Ger Harley | SportPix.org.uk
Signeul said: "The last 10 years have been fantastic, and I am so proud of what we have achieved together. Reaching the Euro and World Cup play-offs have been highlights, tinged with the pain of missing out on qualification. I am delighted to pledge my future to Scotland for another two years and continue this journey with a fantastic group of players and staff. The determination to go one step further and make it to the finals of a major tournament is what drives us all. When I look at what we have achieved at all levels of the women’s game over the past few years, it is remarkable. From the progress of the national teams, to Glasgow City reaching the quarter finals of the Champions League and the introduction of Club Licences to help improve the overall environment, it has all happened thanks to everyone working together. This progress is due to the dedication of players, clubs, coaches, volunteers, staff, and partners such as the sportscotland, the sportscotland Institute of Sport and the Scottish Government. I thank Stewart Regan, the board, and their predecessors at the Scottish FA for their support over the past decade, and going forward. The focus is firmly on the future now, starting with the Cyprus Women's Cup next month, and looking ahead to the UEFA Women's Euro 2017 qualifiers later in the year."
Stewart Regan, SFA Chief Executive: "I am delighted that Anna has agreed to extend her stay and behalf of the Scottish FA I would like to thank her for the hard work, dedication and vision that has underpinned her 10 years so far. The growth of women's football has been one of the real highlights of the Scottish FA's strategy, Scotland United: A 2020 Vision, and we are convinced that Anna will continue to push the boundaries of success for the national team, with the ultimate aim of qualifying for a major championship finals for the first time."