English Woman's Journal - Wales women's boss Grainger quits to join Norway

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Wales women's boss Grainger quits to join Norway

SPORTS 10.01.2024

Wales women's boss Grainger quits to join Norway / Photo: Ashley Crowden - AFP

Gemma Grainger has left her role in charge of Wales' women to take over as Norway team manager, the Football Association of Wales announced on Tuesday.

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Grainger spent nearly three years as Wales boss, leading them to the brink of qualification for the 2023 World Cup when they lost out to a late goal against Switzerland in a playoff.

But the lure of coaching some of the world's best players, such as former Ballon d'Or winner Ada Hegerberg and Barcelona's Caroline Graham Hansen, with the two-time European champions in Norway proved too great to resist.

"Over the last three years I have given my heart and soul to our journey, and I will be forever grateful to have had the opportunity to work with this team and proud nation," Grainger said in a FAW statement.

"I had no intention to leave Cymru, but I have been offered an unexpected opportunity that I could not turn down and it has been extremely difficult for me to get to this point. I hope you know the decision to leave has not been taken lightly."

Her final match in charge was an impressive 0-0 draw against Germany in Swansea last month.

FAW chief executive Noel Mooney said: "We are really happy that we have progressed well under Gemma and now we enter a period of recruitment for a new manager that will give us the best opportunity to qualify for UEFA Euro 2025 and the 2027 FIFA World Cup."

A.Wallace--EWJ

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