Eight candidates who could replace Gemma Grainger as Wales manager – including former England and Ireland bosses
Gemma Grainger has left her role as Wales manager. The FAW have begun the search for her successor. (Pic by Ashley Crowden/FAW)
As the dust settles on Gemma Grainger’s departure from Wales, attention now turns to who could lead Cymru into the next qualifying campaign.
Qualifiers for the European Championships in 2025 will take place in April, June, and July of this year, and the FAW have stated they hope to have someone in place soon. A camp will take place in February, and there’s likely to be an interim management team before a permanent successor is found.
Bristol City manager Lauren Smith has ruled herself out of the running early, while Loren Dykes could also stay put at Ashton Gate.
So, who else could succeed Grainger and guide Wales into a new age?
Embed from Getty ImagesRhian Wilkinson
A name that should be near the top of the FAW’s list.
A former Canadian international with 181 caps, Wilkinson was a fearless defender for over two decades before making a move into management. Starting off managing Canada’s youth teams, she then moved on to be an assistant manager at Canada and being Phil Neville’s assistant at England.
After being Team GB’s assistant in the Tokyo Olympics, she took her first managerial role with Portland Thorns, and in her only season with the club, she won the NWSL.
Wilkinson herself does have a Welsh connection. Her mother is Welsh, and she spent part of her youth being brought up in Cowbridge.
The NWSL winner should be high on the list of candidates. At Portland, she’s helped bring through youngsters like Sophia Smith but has also managed more experienced players like Christine Sinclair and Becky Sauerbrunn.
All round, Wilkinson would be an excellent fit.
Embed from Getty ImagesAmy Merricks
If the FAW are looking to find a manager in the same mould as Grainger, then Amy Merricks could be an inspired hire.
Merricks was part of Brighton for many years, fulfilling a number of coaching roles, even being caretaker manager on more than one occasion, and she really made a name for herself on the south coast.
She was the under-19’s manager of England until November. Perhaps a move to manage a country like Wales could be the next logical step for her.
At Brighton, she helped talents like Alessia Russo, Maya Le Tissier, and Katie Robinson, and therefore would be more than able to help this amazing crop of young Welsh talent.
Embed from Getty ImagesVera Pauw
Alternatively, if Wales are looking for an experienced head to help guide them to their first major tournament, Vera Pauw could be a shrewd hire.
Pauw has managed many national teams, including Scotland and the Republic of Ireland, guiding the latter to their first major tournament when they reached the World Cup last year.
Pauw would be a name that would command respect straight away, and she could be the perfect coach to get this current generation to a major tournament.
Embed from Getty ImagesHope Powell
Another experienced head out there is Hope Powell.
The name itself is so synonymous with football. She is a leader, a trailblazer and one of the biggest success stories in the game. You don’t manage England for 15 years for nothing.
The end of her time at Brighton may be something to look at, but that doesn’t take anything away from her player management skills.
She is currently technical director at Birmingham City.
Embed from Getty ImagesMark Parsons
A man perhaps seeking a second opportunity in international management is Mark Parsons.
Parsons took charge of the Netherlands for a year, but they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by France, as the Dutch failed to retain their European crown.
He has made a name for himself over the pond with various clubs in the NWSL and has been named NWSL Coach of the Year.
He has now left Washington Spirit, after it was announced that current Barcelona manager Jonatan Giráldez would take over at the end of the Spanish season.
Embed from Getty ImagesKelly Chambers
Another name currently in America is Kelly Chambers.
Currently sporting director at Utah Royals, Chambers made her name at Reading, firstly as a player and then as a manager.
She brought years of stability to the Berkshire side and helped to coach numerous Welsh players who came through the doors. However, it could be difficult to lure her away from Utah, especially as she’s new to the role.
Yzzy Taylor
If the FAW want to look from a domestic point of view, Yzzy Taylor could be high on their list.
Taylor’s time at Cardiff Met was filled with success, and one thing that she was brilliant at doing was building great relationships between herself and her players.
She’s also coached in the Welsh youth setup, and so has worked with the younger stars of the national team. Could she be a dark horse for the role?
Embed from Getty ImagesLee Kendall
The final name to make up this eight-person shortlist is Lee Kendall.
A very successful goalkeeping coach, he has been a part of the coaching staff at Sheffield United, Fleetwood Town, and England.
He’s already in the system as a Coach Educator with the FAW, and has had experience of international football in both the men and women’s game.
He’s been to a World Cup with England as goalkeeping coach, whilst at men’s level he’s coached the under-15’s up to the seniors.
In Wales, before managing Barry Town’s men side, he briefly managed the women’s team and had good success with the Linnets.
A Cymru South winning manager, he has recently departed Pontypridd United. Could he find his feet back in international coaching with this job?
