BALE URGES BOSS: STICK WITH WALES
GARETH BALE has backed shattered Wales boss Chris Coleman.
Bale led a five-strong lobby of senior players to see Coleman at the team hotel on Monday night to plead with the 47-year-old to stay in charge after the 1-0 defeat to Republic of Ireland ended their World Cup play-off dream.
Coleman will let the dust settle on their World Cup exit before deciding whether to quit.
But Real Madrid ace Bale, who missed the game through injury, said: “What he has done for the team and Welsh football has been amazing.
Amazing
campaign and he admitted after the game he will have to think about his future.
Veteran defender Chris Gunter said everyone in the country was hoping Coleman would stay.
Gunter said: “I hope he and the Football Association of Wales can get his future sorted quickly.
“But I think everyone in Wales – fans and players – would want to see him stay on and carry on being the greatest Welsh manager of all time.”
Striker Sam Vokes said the boss revealed nothing of his plans after the loss, adding: “He came in afterwards and shook everyone’s hand.”
Midfielder Dave Edwards said: “Everybody hopes he stays. He’s been the best Welsh manager in history.”
Coleman’s assistant Osian Roberts said: “Chris is his own man and he’ll eventually decide what is right for him and I’m sure for Welsh football.
“There is no question that he is the best manager in Welsh history and nobody wants that to end.” WALES midfielder Joe Allen will be assessed by Stoke medics ahead of Saturday’s trip to Manchester City after he suffered a head injury against Republic.
“Of course we want him to stay. He couldn’t have taken on the job at a more difficult time and what we’ve collectively achieved since then has been amazing.
“We don’t want to keep on looking back at the Euros but for everyone it was incredible to be a part of that and we all want that again.
“It won’t be easy but Chris is the man who can keep us focused and show us how to get the results we need.”
Coleman has been in charge for five and a half years and led his side to the Euro 2016 semi-finals.
His contract runs out at the end of the current