The Portland Thorns have finally landed a new boss, as the NWSL club brought on former Tottenham Hotspur head coach Robert Vilahamn on Wednesday — less than two weeks before the 2026 season kicks off.
The 43-year-old Swede managed Tottenham's women's team from 2023 to 2025, when the Spurs sacked him last June after the club finished the WSL season in 11th place — one spot above relegation.
"Robert arrives with managerial experience at the highest levels of the women's game, possesses a strong track record of helping players grow, and will strengthen our team environment by providing new global perspectives and insights," Thorns president and GM of soccer operations Jeff Agoos said in a club statement.
The final NWSL club to fill a coaching vacancy before opening day, Portland began preseason training under interim manager Sarah Lowden, with the assistant coach assuming leadership duties after the Thorns fired Rob Gale following the team's 2025 semifinals loss in November.
"The club has everything I look for, with a clear ambition to win, an incredible fan base, and a strong environment for developing talented players," Vilahamn said in Wednesday's announcement. "The NWSL is the most competitive league in the world.... I'm really looking forward to starting this next chapter in Portland."
How to watch the Portland Thorns kick off their 2026 NWSL season
It's a speedy on-ramp for Vilahamn, who will make his NWSL sideline debut when Portland opens their 2026 season against the Washington Spirit on Friday, March 13th.
The 2025 NWSL semifinals rematch will take place at DC's Audi Field, kicking off live at 8 PM ET on Prime.
