For new year’s say departed Coleman
that such a method can only be successful so many times – as proven by Denmark in Dublin.
Wales weren’t always free-flowing under Coleman – qualification was built on clean sheets and hard-work as much as anything else – but the players in the squad and coming through are better suited to a passing game that Pulis would have to convince he could adapt to; as John Toshack used to say, there’s no transfer windows in international football.
Furthermore, the FAW made clear in their strategic plan that they want an integrated approach from youth levels through to the senior side describing a ‘Welsh Way’ of playing as “good to watch: ball control, passing, movement, attacking at pace.”
Of course, there is the argument that he has never had the players of the talent of a Gareth Bale or Aaron Ramsey to make the change, but Pulis is undoubtedly associated with a physical, pragmatic game and you wonder how some in the dressing room would respond. How would Bale respond, for example?
He has the passion, even if he has usually been coy on wanting to try out international football, but he also has the CV that commands big money from fire-fighting top-flight teams, something the FAW won’t be offering. The current second favourite – and for good reason given the FAW have gone after his services at least twice before.
Giggs certainly ticks the box Pulis wouldn’t in terms of a marketable manager – something that may be scoffed at but will be something of a factor with the FAW keen on making sure the national side remain in high profile and attractive to sponsors and commercial opportunities not to be sneezed at in difficult times.
But, among the hardcore in the ‘Red Wall’, there are those who don’t see Giggs as one of them in the way that Coleman and Gary Speed were. It might be seen as an irrelevance or unfair by some, but there will equally be a wariness not to impact on the Together Stronger ethos that has underpinned so much of the recent years.
There is also the inexperience that will be a concern, while there will be questions as to why no-one else has taken a chance on him since his caretaker spell at Manchester United was followed up by his time under Louis van Gaal.
There is the notion that Giggs would command respect in the dressing room, one that will be needed as they look to pull the squad together following the disappointment of losing the popular Coleman, but it won’t solve all ills.
Indeed, it is worth remembering that his playing days will only count for so much – Ben Woodburn wasn’t even born when he scored that goal against Arsenal in 1999 and Ethan Ampadu only eight when he was named PFA Player of the Year in his late-career revival.
Giggs would have to impress in the interview to underline his credentials are more than being Ryan Giggs and that, this time, he really wants the chance to manage his country. You get the sense it could be now or never.
RYAN GIGGS CRAIG BELLAMY
Bellamy – unlike the other two favourites – has thrown his hat into the ring by using his appearance as a pundit on Monday night’s game between Brighton and Stoke to declare his interest in the job.
Not that he probably needed to; Bellamy has long dreamed of managing his country and was even under consideration from some as a potential punt when there were doubts over Coleman as he approached the end of his first campaign. Passionate Welshman? The man with the Owain Glyndwr tattoo probably trumps more than most on that front.
He invariably impresses when talking about the game; intelligently, methodically and maturely analysing things in contrast to the personality once seen on the field and in dressing rooms.
But there will be those at the FAW who still remember the old Bellamy, one who has not been afraid to speak his mind over the running of the game and the national side and didn’t always make friends doing it.
He has gone about things in the right way, though, slowly building up experience at grass-roots and spending time in the Wales youth set-ups to gain an insight.
But will the FAW be afraid of not being able to control someone who has always worn his heart on his sleeve?
And his inexperience of being part of a management team inside a senior dressing room means that, like the others, there is simply not a straightforward choice here.
WHAT’S LIKELY TO HAPPEN NEXT?
The pros and cons of these – and others – will be weighed up and chewed over.
The left-field candidates will emerge, some will disappear and Wales will eagerly await the white smoke from the Dragon’s lair.
But, given the old saying of acting in haste and repenting at leisure, perhaps it’s best the FAW are ready to bide their time in getting the appointment right.