Page to stay in charge of Wales after agonising play-off final defeat
ROB Page will remain as Wales manager despite the failure to qualify for Euro 2024.
Wales agonisingly missed out on a place in Germany this summer as Poland won a play-off final 5-4 on penalties at Cardiff City Stadium following a goalless 120 minutes.
The defeat left question marks over Page’s future, but those doubts have been quickly removed by Football Association of Wales president Steve Williams.
Williams told BBC Wales: “The FAW can confirm Rob Page is their manager for the forthcoming campaign in accordance with his contract.
“Rob is the manager. His contract runs to the end of the World Cup and that is how we continue to work.”
Page took over from Ryan Giggs in November 2020, first on an interim basis and led Wales at the delayed European Championship the following summer.
He was appointed permanent manager after Wales’ World Cup play-off final victory over Ukraine in June 2022.
The 49-year-old subsequently signed a four-year deal the following September two months ahead of the World Cup.
But Page’s stock with fans fell following a poor tournament in Qatar when they scored only once and finished bottom of their group with one point.
Key players such as Gareth Bale, Wales’ talismanic captain and record caps holder and goalscorer, and Joe Allen retired after the World Cup.
Page had to rebuild the side during Euro 2024 qualifying, which saw Wales finish below Turkey and Croatia in their group and rely on the play-offs to make a third consecutive European Championship.
After Tuesday’s play-off final defeat, Page said: “I’ve got a great relationship with Dave Adams, the technical director.
“We’ve had our issues in the past, haven’t we? It’s been well documented. But everything’s fine. Everything’s great. I think they appreciate it.
“The board, the chief exec, the president, I think they see the journey we’re on and what we’re trying to do.
“In 12 months, from retirement of senior players to introducing younger players and being one kick away from qualification. I think they see the work we’re doing and the supporters do too.”