Although Sarina Wiegman’s salary of £400,000 annually plus performance-based bonuses is impressive by many measures, it stands out as a persistent disparity when compared to the astounding salaries in men’s football. She is regarded as one of football’s most successful managers due to her accomplishments, which include winning the European Championship back-to-back, making it to the World Cup final, and accomplishing the uncommon feat of five straight major tournament finals. But when compared to male peers like Thomas Tuchel, who reportedly makes over £5 million a year, the financial reward is still disproportionately small.
The FA’s decision to give Wiegman a contract extension through 2027 shows how much they value her. Although she reportedly received a sizable pay increase as part of this renewal, her pay still falls far short of that of managers of men’s national teams. For instance, Gareth Southgate makes over £5 million, which is more than twelve times Wiegman’s base pay.
Manager Salary Comparison – 2025
| Manager | Role | Annual Salary (Approx.) | Notable Achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sarina Wiegman | Head Coach, England Women’s National Team | £400,000 + bonuses | Euro 2017 & 2022 Champion, Euro 2025 Champion, 5 consecutive finals |
| Emma Hayes | Head Coach, US Women’s National Team | £1.3 million | Multiple WSL titles, UEFA Women’s Champions League finalist |
| Gareth Southgate | Manager, England Men’s National Team | £5 million | Euro 2020 finalist, 2018 World Cup semi-finalist |
| Thomas Tuchel | Manager, Bayern Munich (Men) | £10 million | UEFA Champions League winner, Bundesliga Champion |
She has an exceptionally successful track record. In addition to building successful teams, she has fostered an environment where athletes flourish under duress. She is frequently referred to by her teammates as “the calmest figure in the stadium”—a trait that is especially helpful in high-stakes situations and penalty shootouts. When the margins are extremely narrow, that poise combined with keen tactical intuition has produced results time and time again.
Naturally, the discussion of her pay bleeds into the larger football pay equity controversy. Although match fees for male and female players in England are equal, there is still a huge pay gap for club football and coaching. The weekly salaries of male stars like Erling Haaland dwarf the average salary of £47,000 in the Women’s Super League, with top earners like Sam Kerr earning £449,000.
Higher salaries in women’s sports are possible, but they are still the exception rather than the rule, as demonstrated by Emma Hayes’ recent decision to manage the US Women’s National Team for about £1.3 million annually. Although Wiegman’s pay increase brings her closer to that amount, the disparity with men’s salaries, which frequently surpass £5 million, still highlights the need for significant advancement.
She has been referred to as “the number one coach in women’s football” by FA CEO Mark Bullingham, who also maintains that she receives proper compensation. Critics counter that her contribution to increasing the women’s game’s attendance, media attention, and commercial revenue is not taken into consideration by “market rates.” In addition to winning trophies, her leadership has greatly increased the sport’s reputation and visibility, making her a strategic genius and a valuable business asset.
Wiegman’s impact goes beyond football performance as well. Her perseverance, professionalism, and vision have inspired young athletes, making her a cultural icon. Her career is seen by many as evidence that skill, flexibility, and integrity—rather than gender—are the key components of successful elite coaching. She was even called “not for sale at any price” by the FA, a unique distinction typically given to elite athletes.
Her objectives for the future are still very clear: to exact revenge for the close World Cup defeat to Spain, to get back into the Olympics, and to keep creating a winning legacy for the Lionesses. Wiegman has the authority and stability to guide English women’s football into its most competitive era yet because her contract is set through 2027. Nevertheless, the financial discussion persists, acting as a continual reminder that even the most accomplished female coaches encounter obstacles that their male counterparts have long overcome.
In the years to come, her salary might represent more than just personal gain; it might serve as a standard for evaluating and rewarding excellence in women’s football. It will be harder to ignore the pressure on governing bodies to close the pay gap if the sport keeps growing under the direction of leaders like Wiegman.
