Chris Coleman still in the dark over future as Wales manager
Wales manager Chris Coleman said on Wednesday that he has no idea if he will stay in the job after holding initial talks with his superiors at the FA.
Wales manager Chris Coleman told reporters today he has no idea if he will stay in the job after holding initial talks with his superiors at the Welsh FA. Coleman's current contract runs out at the end of this month after friendlies away against France on 10 November and Panama in Cardiff on 14 November.
Coleman's contract due to expire this month
The 47-year-old's position has been under scrutiny since last month's defeat to the Republic of Ireland cost them a place at next summer’s 2018 World Cup Russia.
“I have no idea if these are my last games [as Wales coach]”, Coleman told a press conference near Cardiff today. “Initial talks have been undertaken since our last game but we are no further forward. That's where we are”.
Coleman was appointed Wales manager in January 2012 following the tragic death of his great friend Gary Speed. He struggled at the start of his reign but historically guided the nation to their first major finals for 58 years at EURO 2016 France, and oversaw the team’s progress to the semi-finals in the tournament.
Players wants Coleman to continue
A players' delegation which included Gareth Bale and captain Ashley Williams held a meeting with Coleman straight after the defeat to Ireland in attempt to persuade him to stay.
But there have been no new developments since then. “[Our game against] France in Paris is a fantastic game for us and if this is my last camp it's not a bad way to sign off”, Coleman added. “It may be the (EURO 2016) final that never took place and of course we've never played Panama. I have to look and think, 'Can I take it forward? Is the structure and facilities good to take us forward?' So it's not just me personally. All things need to be right for us to take it forward”.
Coleman, noncommittal on Everton job
Coleman has been linked with Premier League managerial vacancies at Everton and Leicester - the latter has since filled by Claude Puel while David Unsworth remains in caretaker role at Goodison. But he was reticent when asked if there had been any interest in his services.
“I'm not going to say a club has done this or that. We're always going to be linked with clubs and vacancies. Some managers are still in their jobs, I've been on the end of that and it's not nice”, he explained.
Gareth Bale in Wales squad for November friendlies
Coleman has included Gareth Bale in his 24-man squad for this month’s friendlies. Bale has not played since suffering a calf injury in Real Madrid's Champions League win against Borussia Dortmund on 26 September; he also missed Wales' last two 2018 World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Ireland.
Wales squad
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessey, Danny Ward, Chris Maxwell.
Defenders: Ben Davies, James Chester, Neil Taylor, Chris Gunter, Tom Lockyer, Ashley Williams, Ethan Ampadu.
Midfielders: Joe Allen, David Edwards, Andy King, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Emyr Huws, Jonathan Williams.
Forwards: Gareth Bale, Marley Watkins, Hal Robson-Kanu, Sam Vokes, Tom Lawrence, Ben Woodburn, David Brooks.