The Portland Thorns have officially appointed Robert Vilahamn as the club’s new head coach, bringing in the Swedish manager as the team prepares for the upcoming National Women’s Soccer League season.
Vilahamn arrives in Portland with a growing reputation in women’s football after most recently leading Tottenham Hotspur in the English Women’s Super League from 2023 to 2025. During his first season in charge, he guided Tottenham to the Women’s FA Cup final, marking one of the club’s most notable achievements in recent years.
At 43 years old, Vilahamn becomes the latest European coach to take on a leadership role in the NWSL, a league widely regarded as one of the most competitive environments in women’s soccer. His appointment follows the departure of Rob Gale, who left the position after the Thorns were eliminated in the semifinals of the 2025 NWSL playoffs.
Club leadership believes Vilahamn’s international experience and coaching philosophy will help strengthen the team’s performance while supporting player development across the roster.
Portland Thorns general manager Jeff Agoos said the club sees Vilahamn as a coach capable of bringing fresh ideas and a strong competitive mindset. According to Agoos, Vilahamn’s proactive approach and focus on attacking football align well with the identity that the Thorns and their supporters expect on the field.
Before his time in England, Vilahamn built a strong coaching record in Sweden with BK Hacken’s women’s team. During his tenure from 2021 to 2023, he helped the club qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League in consecutive seasons. The team also reached the Swedish Cup finals in back to back campaigns, further strengthening his reputation as a rising figure in European coaching.
His experience working with developing squads and competing at the continental level is seen as a valuable addition for Portland as the club looks to remain one of the top contenders in the NWSL.
The Portland Thorns are one of the most successful clubs in the league’s history. Since joining the NWSL as a founding franchise in 2013, the team has consistently remained competitive and has reached the playoffs in nearly every season. The club has captured league championships in 2013, 2017 and 2022 and continues to maintain one of the most passionate fan bases in women’s soccer.
For Vilahamn, the move to the United States represents a significant milestone in his coaching career. He described the opportunity to lead Portland as an exciting step and praised the club’s winning culture, strong supporter community and commitment to developing talented players.
He also highlighted the global reputation of the NWSL, noting that the league continues to attract top players and coaches from around the world due to its high level of competition and growing international visibility.
The Thorns organization hopes Vilahamn’s leadership will help guide the team into a new chapter as they aim to remain a consistent title contender while building a squad capable of competing at the highest level of the sport.
