View: Appointment of Robert Vilahamn a much-needed boost for Tottenham Women
Tottenham Women are in desperate need of some serious improvement after a turbulent 2022/23 campaign.
Ninth in the WSL and a season threatened by relegation would not have been what fans were expecting after the club’s record fifth-placed finish the year before.
Spurs seriously regressed and it felt as if Rehanne Skinner had taken the club as far as she possibly could when she was sacked in March of this year. Vicky Jepson stepped up and took interim charge to steer the club away from danger during the run-in.
Yet those heroics were not enough to land Jepson the permanent gig and following a period of uncertainty a new boss has finally been appointed to lead the women’s side next season.
On 7 July the club announced that Robert Vilahamn would take charge with the 40-year-old penning a two-year deal.
“Robert is an ambitious, dynamic and successful coach, and we are excited to welcome him to the Club ahead of the upcoming season,” managing director Andy Rogers told the club website (7 July).
“He has a track record of developing players to international level and competing for both domestic trophies and in the Champions League, demonstrating his ability to match our own ambitions and philosophy.”
But who is Vilahamn and why should fans get excited about his appointment?
The Swede began his coaching career in 2008 with Ytterby IS winning immediate back-to-back promotions. He also won consecutive promotions during his two years in charge of Qviding FIF before being appointed Assistant Coach at BK Hacken in 2020.
As part of his role, he helped the club qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League and after two years was named head coach of the club’s women’s team. During his first season in charge, he secured Champions League qualification and reached cup finals in both 2022 and 2023.
His new role in North London represents his first challenge outside of his home nation and the 40-year-old will be keen to show what he can do on the WSL stage.
His experience and track record make for very exciting reading and he might just be the boost the club needs.
In other Tottenham news, the Women’s World Cup is edging closer with multiple Spurs stars set to compete.