Who could replace Jayne Ludlow as Wales Women’s manager?

The Football Association of Wales has a mammoth task on their hands to find a successor for Jayne Ludlow.

After six years as manager of the Women’s national team, the Arsenal legend stood down from her role to seek pastures new.

Ludlow professionalised the setup through her previous experience and leaves behind a squad which mainly plays in the Women’s Super League and FA Women’s Championship.

Now a replacement will have to be found to continue the good work, with the aim of qualifying for a first major tournament.

The FAW have advertised the role and have indicated that the manager will begin in March 2021, with a fixed-term contract of two-years.

Any potential candidates must possess the highest coaching qualification in football, the UEFA Professional Coaching Licence. 

In the job description, there is also a desire of a minimum of three years coaching in the elite female game.

The application process is open to many, but who could come under consideration for the role? 

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Rhian Wilkinson

Canadian international Rhian Wilkinson for sure would be an interesting appointment and one perhaps many may not have thought about.

Ludlow’s predecessor Jarmo Matikainen hailed from Finland, proving that an appointment from aboard is not out of the realms of possibility.

Most recently, she had been working as assistant coach of the senior women’s team for her country and was the Head Coach for the Under-21 and Under-20 sides.

Rhian Wilkinson is currently the assistant coach of England and will link up with the Three Lionesses in February for their camp.

The 38-year-old has a vast amount of experience at international level, playing 181 times for the Canadian national team. 

Wilkinson’s playing credentials may not match what the FAW are looking for but she does have Welsh connections.

Shan Evans, her mother, was born in Wales, meaning she is quarter Welsh. She also spent a year in Wales during her studies of in 1990, which would at least give her a picture of what Welsh life is like.

It is possible that she could be a part of the Team GB coaching setup, should the Tokyo Olympics go ahead this summer, which would potentially give her time to work with some Welsh players.

If Wales are prepared to wait for Wilkinson to see out her short-term venture then is one definitely for consideration, should she be interested in the post.

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Jess Fishlock

This perhaps is an unlikely option for the time being but surely an option for when the next time the post becomes available.

Jess Fishlock is Wales’ all-time appearance maker and has had a highly coveted playing career at club level.

The 34-year-old is a two-time Champions League winner and has won divisional titles in Australia, France, the Netherlands and the USA. 

She is the superstar in the Welsh national team and the player which many look to for inspiration.

Fishlock makes Wales tick when it’s working and has the ability to change games on her own.

Could that inspiration on the field transfer into the dugout? She already has the respect of her teammates and it almost feels like she has been primed for the role during Ludlow’s tenure.

The Cardiff-born midfielder had a stint as player-coach during her time at Melbourne City where she won the W-League title. 

A sticking point in any possible appointment however is that Fishlock is currently on loan at Reading from OL Reign and it seems she is thoroughly enjoying her time there.

She is surrounded by a number of her international teammates and the Royals are performing to a reasonable standard this season with Fishlock heavily involved.

An appointment from the domestic leagues?

Another requirement listed by the FAW in their application is ‘a proven track record in delivering success within limited resources’. 

If that is the case then perhaps looking to its domestic league may be an option by promoting from within its current structure.

Ian Owens has held his role at the Swans for a number of years and has created a winning mentality at the club.

Alternatively, you could look to Kerry Harris, who has delivered a number of titles to Cyncoed Campus, winning the domestic treble in 2019.

The two sides have been dining at the top of the league for a while and have played a key part in the development of some future internationals.

A far-sided appointment could be a current player of the league in Briton Ferry Llansawel’s Nia Davies who may not have the playing background but has certainly put together some impressive coaching credentials.

A UEFA A-Licence coach, Davies has come through the Welsh coaching system through studying with the FAW Trust.

Her current role is the Age Group Manager at the organisation, but has worked with them for more than eight-years.

For a year, she was Penybont’s first Head of Coaching and had spent time in the dugout during a Cymru Premier match, in the absence of Rhys Griffiths and Martyn Giles.

Similar to Davies, perhaps Sara Hilton should be considered for the role? 

Hilton, who was manager of Connah’s Quay, led them to a FAW Women’s Cup semi-final in the first season of their existence.

Connah’s Quay were unbeaten before the North Wales Women’s League was brought to an end due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The 29-year-old is a former player of Wales, featuring for their U15s to their u19s side. 

In her role as a Coach Educator for the FAW Trust and a Senior Lecturer at Glyndwr University, Hilton is engrained into the Welsh coaching setup. 

(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)