Rhian Wilkinson has extended her contract as Wales head coach after leading the nation to its first women’s major tournament appearance at Euro 2025. The Football Association of Wales views the extension as a sign she can achieve further breakthroughs, including qualification for the next European Championship and participation in next year’s Women’s World Cup. Wilkinson previously set expectations for more landmarks beyond Euro 2025. Nia Jones praised the extension, citing Wilkinson’s role in turning a nearly women’s team into achievers and embracing accountability. Wilkinson was appointed in February 2024 after Gemma Grainger stepped down. Wales qualified by finishing their group unbeaten and winning play-offs against Slovakia and the Republic of Ireland, though Euro 2025 brought heavy group defeats.
"Rhian Wilkinson has already made history as Wales head coach by leading the nation to a first women's major tournament. Her new contract is evidence the Football Association of Wales (FAW) believe she can break more new ground in the future. Wilkinson has always said there are more landmarks to reach after Wales' appearance at Euro 2025. She will now get a crack at qualifying for the next European Championship, as well as next year's Women's World Cup, with former Wales international-turned pundit Nia Jones praising the contract extension as "great news"."
""Wales have been on an upward trajectory for the last few years but she has been absolutely integral in turning a corner, turning what has been a team of nearly women essentially into achievers," said Jones. "As the achievements have grown, the expectations have too. "She has welcomed that and she has welcomed accountability, which to me is a great sign of a really strong female leader.""
"Wilkinson was appointed in February 2024, six weeks after predecessor Gemma Grainger stood down to take charge of Norway. Grainger had come within sight of ending Wales' wait for a first appearance at a women's major tournament, but her team lost out to Switzerland in the 2023 World Cup play-offs. Wilkinson took charge of a squad who were in decent shape, even if they had just been relegated from the top tier of the Nations League after a difficult campaign in the autumn of 2023. But after others had come close, it was Wilkinson who found a formula to carry Wales over the line in a qualification campaign."
"Having come through their group unbeaten, Wilkinson's side won play-off ties against Slovakia and Republic of Ireland to seal their European Championship place. The tournament itself was something of a disappointment, with a feeling that Wales did not do themselves justice as they suffered three heavy group defeats, albeit against high-class opponents."
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