Rhian Wilkinson has made history as the head coach of Wales, leading the nation to its first women’s major tournament. Her recent contract extension signifies the Football Association of Wales (FAW)'s confidence in her ability to achieve even greater milestones in the future.

Wilkinson has expressed her desire to reach new landmarks following Wales' appearance at Euro 2025. She now faces the challenge of qualifying for the upcoming European Championship and next year's Women's World Cup. Former Wales international and pundit Nia Jones praised the contract extension as "great news," highlighting Wilkinson's integral role in transforming the team from a struggling squad into achievers.

• Wilkinson was appointed in February 2024, taking over from Gemma Grainger.
• Under her guidance, Wales qualified for the European Championship after an unbeaten group stage and victories over Slovakia and Republic of Ireland.
• Despite disappointing performances in the tournament, Wilkinson's leadership has led to a resurgence in team morale, culminating in a friendly win against Switzerland.

Currently, Wales sits second in Group B1 for Women's World Cup qualifying, with crucial matches against Montenegro and the Czech Republic on the horizon. Former captain Kath Morgan believes Wilkinson's new deal reflects her confidence in the team's potential to qualify for the World Cup.

As Wales navigates a rebuilding phase, with the loss of key players like Jess Fishlock and Kayleigh Barton, Wilkinson's focus will be on developing young talent to fill these gaps. David Adams, FAW chief football officer, acknowledged Wilkinson's role in ensuring a successful transition of youth players into the national team. Morgan stresses the importance of investing in the development pathway, as the current shortage of Welsh players in the WSL poses challenges for Wilkinson moving forward.