Rhian Wilkinson isn’t a name you would think would be associated with the Wales National Team – especially after the dramatic exit from the renowned Portland Thorns. Wilkinson stepped down or was sacked, from the professional women’s soccer team in Oregon after allegations emerged of her having an inappropriate relationship with a current player.
Therefore, the soccer world was slightly taken aback when she was appointed the head coach of the national side just a few months later.
Despite the controversy, Wilkinson has done a fantastic job of turning around a struggling Welsh side to be competitive in tough games and make a mark on the world.
Wales Team Transformation
😮💨@RachelRowe1323 🤝 @JessFishlock #BeFootball | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/HHXq4kFYwt
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) October 6, 2022
Gemma Grainger was the Welsh head coach from 2021-2024, leading the team to compete in the 2023 World Cup qualification and earn a spot in the play-offs. She also managed the team to a 10-9-13 record, which is fair for a small country that frequently plays top-ranked contenders.
Even with these promising results, the beginning of 2024 saw Grainger set her sights on a new coaching role with Norway. This meant there was a huge spot to fill.
And Rhian Wilkinson was the right person for the job.
In her first two games for The Dragons, Wilkinson made tactically correct decisions to lead the team to score ten goals – and let in a miraculous zero goals against. Not only is this unheard of in soccer, but the dramatic turnaround means that Wilkinson’s ideas, and knowledge of players, really made a key difference in the squad.
Wales Team – Offense
One of the most important aspects of winning a game is the offensive side of the ball. In 2022-2023, the small country had a very low xG (predicted goals per game). Under Wilkinson, The Dragons had a super-high xG of 3.10, which is the highest it has been in the last four years. Plus, Wales earned a 0.06 higher xG in 2024 than in 2021 under Grainger.
Furthermore, Wilkinson’s side has gotten much more efficient at passing and keeping the ball. Wales earned almost 67% possession in 2024 vs. just 47% in 2023. The change in shape, switching to a 3-4-3, allows Wilkinson to continually fluctuate their attacking shape and provides Jess Fishlock the ability to move into the attacking third.
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Wales Team – Defensive
Just as important as scoring goals and keeping the ball, the Welsh team out of possession has significantly improved. The attacking-minded players can implement a high press to the other team’s backline, earning the ball higher up the pitch.
Wales had the lowest PPDA in the last four years of just 6.65, meaning the other team averages less than seven passes before the Welsh women can win the ball back.
Plus, Wilkinson encourages her team to crash the net and win the ball back higher up the field. Finally, using the 3-4-3 shape lets Wales condense into the middle of the field to block the passing channels and win the ball back quicker.
Although Wilkinson’s being appointed as a head coach was controversial, her incredible tactics and smart managerial standpoint have made Wilkinson’s talented squad a team to be reckoned with in 2024.
About the Author
Emma is an athlete and sports fan who currently plays professional soccer. Growing up, she reached a high level in track and field, distance running, and soccer on both club and university teams.
