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."
January 10, 2024