COLEMAN: MY LAST GAME FOR WALES?
CHRIS Coleman has accepted he could be leading Wales for the final time tonight – but says he’s not dwelt on the emotions of potentially his last match managing his country.
Instead, the 47-year-old says his focus has been on what could prove to be his legacy as he gets set to offer a glimpse to what Wales’ next generation could look like.
Coleman – who opted against following Panama’s lead by revealing his line-up – admitted the side he names will be a youthful one for the friendly against the Central American World Cup qualifiers. With Wales’ World Cup dreams gone, the thoughts turn to Euro 2020 – but also who will lead them.
With talks over a new deal for Coleman – and no guarantees of an agreement – set to resume only after tonight’s clash, it could well prove to be the last team he names as national boss.
The former defender said there was no timescale on discussions, and that there would be no hard feelings if the FAW are not willing to offer the assurances Coleman is seeking over investment in infrastructure.
It appears he is not budging, adamant on his stance as to what he sees as vital if the next steps are to be taken with the likes of Ben Woodburn, Ethan Ampadu and David Brooks to add to those Euro 2016 heroes still in their prime.
“That will be up to the powers that be, it won’t be my decision,” said Coleman on when he will know whether this ends up being a friendly farewell after almost six years in the job. “They know the situation. They know my stance and how I see things, how I want to work and who I want to work with.
“But they may not see it that way, and that’s okay. There will be no bad feeling. The experiences we have and where we have taken it will never be spoiled. If it goes that way, that’s the way it goes. That’s football. Everything has to come to an end.
“Or they may agree with me and say that’s the way they see it also. It will be up to them when they sit down with me again.”
Coleman expects a resolution to be imminent after the Panama game.
“It’s not just a case of me sitting down, asking ‘where’s my contract? I want it sorted out and I want this, that and the other’. Not at all.
“I have a support group around me who are in integral to us. As to how I see us going to the next step, it’s very, very important.
“We may not all be singing from the same hymn sheet, but I think everyone would like it sorted – none of us gain anything by dragging. it on” It means that while Coleman may be aware that this is the final time he’d stand there in a Welsh dugout, he’s not thought of it differently, formations and selections – with the likes of Aaron Ramsey and Ashley Williams rested and first starts on the cards for a handful – of far more concern.
“I haven’t thought about the final whistle and wondering if there will be no more international experience for me,” he said, more bothered about the 90 minutes that precede it as he looks to use the non-competitive chance to give the experience to Amapdu et al, as it was to the likes of Chris Gunter 84 caps ago. “If I am going to walk away and shake hands, of course, there’d be pride at the end of it. We took it to a level that was unthinkable really.
“But I’d be prouder in two or four years time if the team qualified again, That’s the acid test, whatever’s been put in place. Speeds got the set up going, got it more professionally run, put good foundations in place, we’ve built on that and tried to take it forward.
“But the acid test will be in two years, in four, six years time, that we are still competitive in campaigns. People talk about legacies but it’s not me John Toshack or Speeds, we’re just passing through. The legacy is Wales and the jersey, not one man.
“I can say played a part but in the next few years if we are there or thereabouts, that’s when I’d be really proud, whether it’s with or without me.”