Rhian Wilkinson, formerly at the helm of Portland Thorns and now embarking on a journey with Wales women's national team, is brushing off past controversies and setting her sights on the Euros. Appointed on Monday, Wilkinson tells Match of the Day Wales she's "looking forward to getting going again" after what she described as "a lot of trauma" in her past stint. She led the Thorns to the 2022 NWSL Championship but stepped down amidst an investigation over an alleged relationship with a player—a claim from which she has since been cleared.
Wilkinson's track record speaks volumes; before her Portland drama, she was an assistant to England boss Helge Riise and a decorated Canadian international with 183 caps. But then, she had to abruptly part ways with Portland. Players pointed fingers, trust was supposedly broken, and Wilkinson felt she had to "lost the locker room"—a heavy blow for any coach aiming to maintain team cohesion. Even after being cleared, the former coach faced a resignation call from her own squad, citing an ethical breach, as per a letter obtained by BBC Sport Wales. Drama, indeed, but that's the game of soccer for you.
But look out, Europe—Wilkinson's comeback could be the stuff of legends if she manages to successfully steer Wales to their first major tournament. According to the new boss's high hopes, the pieces are all there. "We have a group of players that are ready and deserve to be in major tournaments," Wilkinson passionately declared in a statement obtained by Just Women's Sports.
Her three-year contract fills the sizable shoes of Gemma Grainger, who took a leap to manage the Norwegian national team after pushing Wales to the brink of World Cup qualification. It takes a certain bravado to quickly move on after public scrutiny, but Wilkinson seems to be aiming to quickly knit together the fabric of a winning team. "I can’t wait to meet them and work with them," she gushed, indicating her immediate ambitions according to Wales Online.
As for the Football Association of Wales, they're on board with Wilkinson's appointment. The FAW's chief football officer, David Adams, expressed contentment, highlighting her exoneration and looking beyond the Portland fray to the future prospects for Welsh women's soccer. The entire narrative might read like a redemption arc to some, but for Wilkinson and the FAW, it's just another day at the office—albeit one with high stakes and even higher hopes.
