Coleman refuses to rule out return to Wales post

CHRIS Coleman has refused to rule out a return as Wales boss, and admits he’s ready to for a fresh managerial challenge

The former Sunderland boss has been out of work since leaving Chinese side Hebei China Fortune in May 2019, and has since had plenty of time to reflect on his next move.

“I’ve said before, no I wouldn’t do it,” he said in an interview with S4C. “I’m 50 now, so with experience, you never say never.

“When I came away from it, I’d had enough of that moment, and I thought this is the time for someone to take it on and do what they want to do. I think I was right in doing what I did.

“Through lockdown, some of our games [from Euro 2016] were being replayed, my family were all sat down as if we didn’t know what was going to happen and getting so excited.

“I knew what was going to happen, I’d watched it so many times, I still wanted to relive it. How lucky are we to be part of that? So, so lucky and grateful for the opportunity to experience it and the whole nation, will carry it forever.”

Having had time to reflect, Coleman says he is keen to make a return at some point, but doesn’t appear to be on the brink of a new job just yet.

“The last year I’ve been out of work, and like everybody else in this current situation, which is a little bit strange for all of us, I’m just waiting for it to pass and eagerly awaiting the next challenge.

“I’ve got no idea where it’s going to come from. I’ve still got plenty of fire in my belly because I love football, I love working with football players, I like building something. I’ve been doing it for 20 years or more.

“I’ve worked around the world in different countries, and I’m still interested in sampling something different and something new.”