Grainger joined the Football Association of Wales (FAW) and the Wales women’s set-up in March 2021 at a time when there had been continuous growth and increased success on the field at all age levels, but much of the credit for that went to her predecessor, Jayne Ludlow.
Ludlow, one of Wales’ greatest women’s players and their longest tenured manager was popular with her players and news of her departure in January 2021, left the Wales squad “sad, surprised and emotional”, with the former Arsenal captain the only person to preside over more than 50 Wales women’s international matches.
Wales twice came close to reaching a play-off for a first major finals under Ludlow, finishing second to England in World Cup qualifying in 2018, a campaign which saw Wales go 687 minutes without conceding a goal.
Wales were also edged out by Northern Ireland in European Championship qualifying in 2020, losing out on a head-to-head record after two draws, making it a tall order for Grainger to immediately make a mark of improvement.
With no playing pedigree similar to Ludlow’s and with her coaching background being exclusively in England within the Football Association, hitting the ground running with Wales looked a tall order.
That she has done so, and done so quickly, would surprise many, but not those who know Grainger well.
“Gemma is a top, top coach, young and hungry and wants her side to do well,” former England midfielder Karen Carney told BBC Sport Wales.
“I know Gemma through the England set-up and have worked with her, I like how she taps into a players’ psyche and her ability to get the best out of them.”
That praise is shared by another person who worked closely with Grainger during her time at the Football Association, Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper.
“She is a really good coach, a really good leader, and she has a really good idea of the game and how it should be played,” he said.