Jess Fishlock: Gemma Grainger's Wales exit 'disappointing' but team must move on
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Jess Fishlock says Wales climbed to "another level" under Gemma Grainger
Wales' most-capped player Jess Fishlock says Gemma Grainger's departure as manager "sucks for us" but insists the team must move on quickly.
After nearly three years in charge, Grainger stepped down this week to become Norway's head coach.
She has moved on just three months before the start of qualifying for Euro 2025, with Wales trying to reach a major tournament for the first time.
"I'd be lying if I didn't say I was disappointed, I am," Fishlock said.
"I am disappointed at the timing of it all.
"I think everyone really wanted to continue this journey with everything that we have done with Gemma, but that's not the case and we've just got to move on.
"I want to thank her for everything that she's done for us and our country and our group - she's really helped us go to another level.
"She's done a lot of very good things for us but now she's decided to leave and we have to close that chapter and move on - and we have to move on fast because we don't have much time."
During Grainger's time in charge, Wales reached the World Cup play-off final in October 2022 but were agonisingly beaten in extra time by Switzerland.
They then finished bottom of their group in the first Women's Nations League, being relegated to League B prior to the European Championship qualifying draw in March.
Wales look set to appoint a caretaker management team for the February international window, but Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney wants a new permanent boss in place when Euro 2025 qualifiers begin in April.
Fishlock believes the vacancy Grainger has left will be extremely attractive for potential candidates.
"I don't know how many managers have messaged me already, as if I have anything to do with what's happening," she added.
"I think anybody would be jumping at the chance to be a part of what we are.
"But also, to take a team somewhere where it's never been before is something that will stay with you forever.
"Let's be real here, you can really do something that nobody's ever done before, right?
"And then not only do it once but keep doing it and keep doing it.
"We see how that happens with our men's team and how and what that does to not only the group, not only the staff, but what it does to an entire country.
"And so I think this job is just so much more than football, which makes it so much more fun."
