Coleman forms the gang of three to swap trade secrets

CHRIS COLEMAN is forming a gang of three with Republic of Ireland manager Martin O’Neill and Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill to share secrets about their Euro 2016 opponents.

The Wales manager has promised to take Martin for a meal in Dublin to pick his brains after the Republic play Slovakia, the country providing Coleman’s first Group B test.

He has also offered to tell Michael all about his Group C rivals Ukraine after Wales’ friendly in Kiev tomorrow.

Coleman is unlikely to extend his generosity to Roy Hodgson, however, with England lying in wait for Wales.

‘We get back from Ukraine on Tuesday and I fly straight out to Ireland to have a look at the Slovakia game,’ said Coleman. ‘It’s on our doorstep, isn’t it? It would be silly not to go. We have someone else to go out and look at Russia [against France in Paris].

‘I’ll probably end up taking Martin for a bit of dinner afterwards. I’ll be paying! I’ll say, “What did you work on?” It would be ridiculous to miss that opportunity.

‘Depending how they go, what formation did they play?

‘Beg, steal, and borrow — we just have to get out of the group.

‘I’ll take advice from Martin but if Michael wants to take advice from me then that’s the deal. He has to pay for dinner!

‘Absolutely, I will help him. He can call me. I’ll give him anything he wants.’

Michael O’Neill, who will watch Germany play Italy in Munich on Tuesday, said: ‘Ukraine are probably the ones we know least about, so it will be good to catch up with Chris.’

Coleman will make changes after drawing with Northern Ireland last Thursday, with Joe Allen, Neil Taylor and Ben Davies likely to start.