Wales step up search for new manager

Wales will speak to a scope of managerial candidates this week arsenic they measurement up their hunt for a successor to Rob Page.

Following Page’s sacking past month, nan Football Association of Wales (FAW) is successful nan early stages of what could beryllium a lengthy process to a find a caller manager.

The longlist of contenders is believed to see ex-Wales guardant Craig Bellamy and Osian Roberts, who served arsenic an adjunct to erstwhile Wales bosses Gary Speed, Chris Coleman and Ryan Giggs.

Arsenal awesome Thierry Henry, who is successful complaint of France’s Under-21s and Olympic team, is different sanction nether consideration.

With nary evident starring campaigner astatine this early stage, nan FAW is neither formally naming immoderate contenders nor ruling anybody out.

The association group retired its criteria for a caller head past week, identifying a imaginable campaigner pinch a “proven way record” but not needfully having to beryllium Welsh.

Officials person stressed they are prepared to “go global” successful their effort to onshore nan correct fig to lead nan broadside successful qualification for nan 2026 World Cup.

The recruitment hunt is being led by method head Dave Adams pinch immoderate suggestions nary last determination will travel until arsenic precocious arsenic adjacent month.

Despite first discussions pinch immoderate candidates beginning, nan FAW are prepared to hold until astatine slightest nan extremity of nan Euro 2024 finals pinch managerial changes astatine world level expected.

Currently nether superior information arsenic a imaginable candidate, Henry would beryllium unavailable until nan extremity of nan Olympics successful August.

With Henry a postgraduate of nan FAW’s coach acquisition course, erstwhile workfellow Mike Flynn says nan World Cup winning guardant has a beardown nexus pinch nan relation and says could beryllium attracted to nan role.

“He's sewage a occupation to do pinch nan French Under-23s and he's nan eventual professional, but he would beryllium a immense summation to nan Welsh setup,” said nan Cheltenham Town manager, who has stayed successful interaction pinch Henry since studying for nan Uefa pro-licence together.

"He's done each of his badges done them and he's gone backmost to do conferences which conscionable shows nan respect he's sewage for nan Welsh coaching badges.

"He's not conscionable a large name, I've seen him do nan activity connected nan coaching badges, I've spoken to him erstwhile he's been astatine Monaco and since he's been pinch France.

"I cognize really driven he is. He is passionate and he's a fable from his playing days. I can't speak highly capable of him. The measurement he's been pinch maine has been special.

"Thierry has sewage to determine whether he thinks he tin get Wales to a awesome title successful nan adjacent two, 4 aliases six years. That's his decision.”

Former Newport County head Flynn added nan assignment of erstwhile Canada world Rhian Wilkinson arsenic nan head of Wales’ women’s nationalist broadside shows location would beryllium nary rumor successful nan FAW looking beyond Wales for its appointment.

However, speaking to Radio Wales Sport, he added that some Bellamy and Roberts would beryllium awesome candidates, adding: “With (chief executive) Noel Mooney and Dave Adams, it’s successful bully hands and I cognize they will effort and get nan champion man they consciousness tin return Wales to nan adjacent awesome tournament.”