Rhian Wilkinson: New Wales head coach hopes to win players’ trust

Wales women’s new head coach Rhian Wilkinson says she hopes the players will allow her to earn their trust.

Wilkinson left after winning the NWSL Championship after being investigated over a relationship with a player.

“I won’t speak for the players… but trust is earned over time,” she said.

“I hope that my CV and character and references outweighs this unfortunate thing that has happened to me.

“I think it’s important to mention [the departure from Portland] and for the press to discuss it, because we want to be able to move on and make sure we are talking about the Euros soon enough.

“The players just want to play. They are ready to play. They are not willing to trust me completely, like they wouldn’t any new coach.

“If the players would like to ask questions about anything they can do.

“But then we need to move forward because Euro qualifying is what we are focused on.”

The former Canada international has been appointed as Wales’ new boss after previous manager Gemma Grainger resigned to take charge of Norway, with the draw for Euro 2025 qualifying taking place next week before qualifiers beginning in April.

Wilkinson’s CV is glittering as a player and a manager, but her reputation has – by her own admission – been tarnished by the manner of her departure from Portland.

A former England and Team GB assistant coach, Wilkinson enjoyed tremendous success in leading Portland to the 2022 NWSL Championship in her first season as head coach.

She was subsequently investigated by the NWSL and National Women’s Soccer League Player Association (NWSLPA) for an alleged relationship with a Portland player.

Though she was cleared of any wrongdoing after the three-week investigation, Wilkinson resigned from her post in December 2022 citing the fact she had “lost the locker room,” with her players claiming she had broken their trust.

‘Safeguarding is paramount’

Wilkinson, who won 183 caps as a player for Canada, says she has been open and honest about her Portland departure, despite the fact it has been a “painful” experience.

“It’s clearly easy to Google, so this is part of my reality, I’ve been open about the whole thing,” she said.

“Safeguarding is critical not just in women’s football but in sport in general, we’ve seen that across the world. We have to look after player safety.

“I came forward when I felt there was something to investigate, I was thoroughly investigated and I was found to have not done anything, I was completely vindicated in that.

“It is very public and that is very painful. I have not always been able to say what I wanted to say.

“It was a very challenging part of my life.

“I don’t think it takes much work to look into my character and reputation. You will find this blip… an example was made of me which was painful, but we need investigations and for people to come forward.

“I hope the work I’ve done at least remains in the conversation about me.

“I continue to answer questions about it because I think it is important. I believe I have a strong character and have done a lot of good for the game.

“I hope that my CV and character and references outweighs this unfortunate thing that has happened to me.”

‘It is not a step down on any other job I have ever had’

Wilkinson bristled at the suggestion she had only taken the Wales job because her reputation has been damaged by her Portland departure.

The Olympic bronze medal winner says she is aware of the fact her departure from her previous role has overshadowed her appointment, but says the Wales job was the one she wanted, though she understands some people will view her reputation as being tarnished.

“When anyone is investigated, people assume they’ve done something because there has been so much wrongdoing in sport,” she said.

“There have been abuses of power, people have been harmed, so I felt it was important to follow the process.

“The [Portland] players didn’t feel comfortable and so I had to resign, I felt it was the right thing.”

Wilkinson says she turned down other roles before taking the Wales job.

“There were other opportunities to coach in the past year, but it wasn’t the right time. I was very hurt,” she said.

“I was made an example of and that is also hard.

“But it would be a cynical view to say I only took this job because of the departure from my last job.

“Because nobody knows how many countries or teams actually did offer me jobs, but this is the one I wanted.

“It is a privilege to take this job. It is not a step down on any other job I have ever had. I believe in the FAW, I know the FAW, I have done all my coaching badges here and the team being on the cusp of doing something great is a big reason why I am here.

“But also because I feel Welsh. I want to support this team in making history.”

‘It feels like a full circle moment’

Despite being born in Canada, Wilkinson has a real connection to Wales having lived in Cowbridge for 18-months as a child.

Born to a Welsh mother and an English father, Wilkinson says she has a deep connection to Wales.

“It’s nice to be in a country that can pronounce my name, that’s not been my reality in Canada or the US,” she added.

“My mother is Welsh, she went to Cowbridge school, she lived in Llantwit Major and grew up in Bonvilson and my father is English.

“During the sabbatical over here I went to Bon Faen school with my brother and sister.

“My grandparents lived in Cowbridge, I have a cousin in Gabalfa in Cardiff, I have another cousin in Penarth with my aunt and uncle, a lot of my family is here.

“I am Canadian but Wales has always been my second home.

“It feels like a full circle moment coming home and I don’t think my mother has ever been prouder.

“I really am proud to be sitting here today, it’s a special role.”