Wales manager Jayne Ludlow leaves role after six years

[ASFN Admin]

Wales Women manager Jayne Ludlow has left her role after more than six years in charge of the national side. The Football Association of Wales said the decision had been taken "by mutual consent" and they will now begin a "thorough recruitment process" to find her replacement. Ludlow, 42, was Wales' longest-serving women's team boss, having been their first manager to surpass 50 games in charge, and has guided them up to 31st in the Fifa world rankings. Under the former Arsenal midfielder's leadership, the Welsh side failed to qualify for a major tournament - as their wait for a first major finals continues - but they did mount their most competitive bids in modern times. Her side finished second in their 2019 World Cup qualifying group behind England, having held England to a 0-0 draw at St Mary's Stadium in April 2018, but they narrowly missed out on the play-offs as they were not among the four best group runners-up. They endured another near miss in their bid to reach the next European Championships, finishing third in their group behind second-placed Northern Ireland by virtue of away goals in their head-to-head record. Northern Ireland will go on to the play-offs instead. “Jayne has played a huge part in the progress of the women’s game in Wales over the past six years," said FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford. “Off the field Jayne has been a role model for the women’s game in Wales. We thank Jayne for all her hard work, dedication and vast contribution to Welsh football both on and off the field.” Ludlow, who managed Reading prior to taking over Wales, added: “My time as the [Wales boss] has been an eventful and exciting journey. It has been an honour and an absolute pleasure to have worked with the staff and players across our age group and senior teams."

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