FootyChatter.com

Jess Fishlock helped Wales, under manager Rhian Wilkinson, qualify for Euro 2025 Jess Fishlock says she is "fleshing out the details" over a potential role with Wales following her retirement from international football. Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson said in December that she hoped Fishlock, who ended her stellar international career last October, would join her coaching staff for the start of World Cup qualifying in March. Seattle Reign midfielder Fishlock, 39, says her phone "blew up" after Wilkinson's comments – and that she got a telling off from her mother because she found out the news from the media rather than her daughter. "My mum saw it and asked, are you working for Rhian? She got me in trouble, " Fishlock said. On whether she has spoken to Wilkinson and what the role might be, Fishlock said: "I can't say, but we had a brief conversation about me being involved and what it would look like - I just didn't realise it would go public. "But we have had conversations, we are on the same page, just fleshing out the details. " Fishlock is Wales' record appearance maker and goalscorer, having won 166 senior caps and scored 48 times. She stepped away from Wales duty in the wake of Euro 2025, the country's first major international women's football tournament, insisting it was "the right time" after her farewell appearance in a friendly against Australia. On the idea of playing some part for Wales in their 2027 World Cup qualifiers against Czech Republic and Montenegro in March, Fishlock remains coy. "I would love to stay involved in some capacity; it wasn't a clean break - I still text the girls all the time. But we will just wait and see, " Fishlock told BBC Sport. Fishlock played 18 times for Seattle Reign last season and helped them qualify for the end-of-season play-offs in the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL). Her contribution at club level has led some in Wales to suggest she could still play a full part as Wilkinson's team attempt to qualify for the Women's World Cup finals for the first time. But though Fishlock says she misses her international team-mates, she has reiterated that the time has come for the next generation to take over. "People have said, if you are back you may as well play, " she says. "But it is still the right time not to play internationals. "I still want to help any way I can, my experience being around might help. But no, no thoughts about coming out of retirement. " Fishlock also has no regrets about the Euros, despite Wales being outclassed in a group with France, Netherlands and eventual champions England. Wales lost all three games while conceding 13 goals, leaving them with the worst group stage record in the history of the competition. "I still look back at it with such pride and joy, " Fishlock says. "Getting to represent the entire country, it was even more impactful that I thought it was going to be. "Seeing how Wales showed up for us, that was the best part of it all. As a competitor it hurt, but the whole world seeing who we are as a nation overrides it. "I still get goosebumps coming out for the first game [versus Netherlands] and seeing the Red Wall - it will stay with me forever. " Ben Haines, Ellen White and Jen Beattie are back for another season of the Women's Football Weekly podcast. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, plus find interviews and extra content from the Women's Super League and beyond on the Women's Football Weekly feed Get the latest WSL news on our dedicated page Snooker legend Virgo dies aged 79 Mc Cullum defends Brook, Ashes squad and leadership style 'It hurts me' - Guardiola vows to speak up on conflicts Watch every gripping episode of The Night Manager Graham Norton discusses being invited to Taylor Swift's wedding Four women join forces to expose a dangerous predator Olympian Keely Hodgkinson on the mindset behind her success Who won the WSL transfer window? Rate each club's deals Is the evil empire back? How the Patriots rebuilt a broken dynasty 'Years in the making' - are Arsenal ready to shed 'nearly-men' tag? What impact might 'unprecedented' Six Nations schedule have? 'Don't be afraid of being different, it's your superpower' In Pictures: Sporting photos of the week Is the Australian Open still the 'Happy Slam'? Just seven signings - the Premier League's quiet deadline day 'Strong and smart' - Liverpool's £60m man, who can 'become like Van Dijk' Curling starts on Wednesday - two days before opening ceremony All the done deals on deadline day in one place Will Seahawks stop Patriots' record bid? Lowdown on Super Bowl 2026 Six Nations preview & BBC pundit predictions 'Complacent and lost control' - Man City's second-half problem Happy tennis, serious name - how history-maker Alcaraz clinched career Slam What's gone wrong for Chelsea in WSL and is Bompastor still right coach? Why 2026 could be GB's most successful Winter Olympics The most powerful woman in football - meet game's first female super agent Nine siblings and a dog called Zoomer - Wirtz in his own words Barcelona 'shakedown' offers first hints of F1 2026 Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.