Robert Vilahamn: The New Era
Hired 9 days before the opener. Won on day one.
Robert Vilahamn got the Portland Thorns job on March 4, 2026. Nine days later, he won his first match -- 1-0 at Washington Spirit, Olivia Moultrie with the goal, Morgan Messner with the clean sheet. He'd never coached in America. His visa was approved days before kickoff. He walked into a locker room of players he'd barely met and got a result. That's the kind of start that earns trust.
The Background
Vilahamn is Swedish. He managed BK Hacken Women from 2021-23, qualifying for the UEFA Women's Champions League every season. Then he moved to England to take over Tottenham Hotspur Women in the WSL (2023-25), where he led Spurs to their first Women's FA Cup final. He's a tactician who builds systems around what his players do best rather than imposing a rigid style.
Why Portland Hired Him
The Thorns needed a reset. Vlatko Andonovski departed during 2025. Sarah Lowdon served as interim and was passed over twice for the permanent job. The front office -- led by President/GM Jeff Agoos and Technical Director Mike Norris -- wanted someone from outside the NWSL ecosystem. Someone who'd worked in European structures, who understood how to manage international rosters, and who could get Sophia Wilson and Olivia Moultrie operating as the most dangerous attacking partnership in the league.
Vilahamn's P-1 visa approval came just days before the March 13 opener. He flew to Washington, walked into the locker room, and won.
The Staff Around Him
1st Assistant: Sarah Lowdon -- served as interim head coach before Vilahamn's hiring. Provides continuity and institutional knowledge of the squad.
Assistant: Vytautas Andriuskevicius -- part of Vilahamn's coaching staff.
What to Watch
How does he use Wilson and Moultrie together? Where does Jessie Fleming fit in his system? How does the Cassandra Bogere signing -- a midfielder who came from the same Swedish league Vilahamn left -- fit the tactical picture? And can he build a team in real time, without a preseason, and make a championship run with the most decorated club in NWSL history?
The answers start at Providence Park. Check the full schedule for upcoming matches.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Portland Thorns head coach in 2026?
Robert Vilahamn. Swedish. Hired March 4, 2026. Previously managed Tottenham Hotspur Women (WSL) and BK Hacken Women (Sweden). Won his first match as Thorns head coach on March 13 -- 1-0 at Washington Spirit.
Where is Robert Vilahamn from?
Sweden. He managed BK Hacken Women from 2021-23, qualifying for the Champions League annually, before moving to Tottenham in England's WSL (2023-25).
What is Robert Vilahamn's coaching record?
Champions League qualification every year at Hacken. First Women's FA Cup final in Tottenham's history. Won his debut match with the Thorns. Full 2026 record will be updated throughout the season.