Jess Fishlock has been dropped by new Wales manager Jayne Ludlow. (Photo Copyright Patricia Giobetti for The Equalizer)
Jayne Ludlow tenure as the manager of Wales’ women’s national team began controversially with her decision not to call-up midfielder Jess Fishlock — the team’s incumbent captain — for a tournament next month in Croatia.
Ludlow left Fishlock off of Wales’ roster for the Istria Cup but said that Fishlock still has a future with the team. Fishlock has been capped 82 times for Wales.
Fishlock released a statement saying that she was available for selection for the tournament despite a recent right ankle injury and she will continue to be available for selection:
Here is my statement around the earlier announcement of the Welsh Squad : pic.twitter.com/9w6T5LTMGB
— Jessica Fishlock (@JessFishlock) February 19, 2015
Sophie Ingle, 23, has been named captain.
Ludlow took over for Jarmo Matikainen, who left to become an assistant coach for Canada until the end of 2016. This is Ludlow’s first squad since taking over.
“She was disappointed,” Ludlow told the BBC. “Captaining your country is a huge privilege and an honour. We had a long conversation the last time we were together about my reason behind it. She was very mature and took those reasons on board and reacted very positively to it.”
Fishlock was named to the NWSL Best XI in 2014 while helping Seattle Reign FC to the NWSL Shield, highlighted by a 16-game unbeaten run to start the season. She was also named to the Best XI in 2013.
