Jayne Ludlow has been rewarded for transforming the fortunes of the Wales women’s team by being handed a new four-year deal.
Ludlow – who has taken Wales to the brink of World Cup qualification – has agreed an extension to her current contract.
It means she will have been in charge for seven years if she sees the agreement through to 2022.
Since taking charge in 2015, the former Arsenal striker has guided Wales to their highest ever FIFA world ranking of 29 and if they beat England in their crunch qualifier next month, she will lead a Welsh team to the tournament finals of a World Cup for the first time since 1958.
“I am so proud to be managing the national team, it’s a great honour,” said Ludlow.
“The challenges that we have ahead of us in terms of next year’s World Cup and beyond excite me a great deal as we aim to get Wales to a major tournament for the first time.”
Jonathan Ford, Chief Executive of the Football Association of Wales, said: “We are extremely delighted to see Jayne extend her tenure as the national team manager.
“She has been key in the development of Women’s football in Wales and her hard work with the national side has ensured a positive future for the game in Wales.”
Ludlow has also named her squad for Wales’ upcoming World Cup qualification decider against England.
Her side are currently unbeaten in the campaign and go into the sell-out game against Phil Neville’s side at Rodney Parade without conceding a goal.
Captain Sophie Ingle will lead a squad that includes the experience of Jess Fishlock, Natasha Harding and Angharad James, while Kayleigh Green is selected after scoring four goals in the campaign so far.
But Charlie Estcourt misses out as she recovers from a knee injury.
Ludlow has included several youngsters in the squad, including U19 regular Ffion Morgan who has recovered from a recent ACL injury.
Peyton Vincze will be travelling from Oklahoma to join up with the squad for the first time since the side’s goalless draw away to Russia last October.
