Henry shock target to be Wales boss

bottom club in the Championship, Sunderland. Henry, currently working as a No2 to Belgium boss Roberto Martinez, has ambitions to move into management in the long term.

The 40-year-old will have to fight off competition from favourite Ryan Giggs and cult hero Craig Bellamy (below), who will both be interested in taking on their first frontline role as manager of their national side.

But Henry’s name will be the surprise choice by the suits in Cardiff who have a number of set criteria that must be met.

They are adamant Osian Roberts will stay in his post and that any new man must work with th the highly-regarded coach, credited with playing an decisive part in Wales’s success under Coleman.

And they are keen to ensure that the post goes es to someone who has passed ssed through the FAW’s pro-licence scheme.

Both Giggs and Bellamy are graduates of the course – but, surprisingly, so too is Henry. He formed a close relationship with Roberts when he undertook his studies last year and passed with flying colours.

The two have remained in contact and Roberts will have a big say in who takes over from Coleman,.whor led the Red Dragons to unprecedented success last year. Wales shocked most pundits by reaching the European Championship semi-finals, before they were beaten by eventual winners Portugal.

Officials in Cardiff will have plenty of time to make the next appointment. Wales are not in action again until next March when they compete in the China Cup.