Shock and anger over Coleman exit –Ash

CAPTAIN Ashley Williams has revealed Wales’ stars reacted with shock and anger when they were told Chris Coleman would not be staying on as national boss after failing to agree a new FAW deal.

And the skipper has admitted there is a sense of unease amongst squad members following Coleman’s departure from the job as they wait to discover what happens next.

Players were left stunned when it was confirmed Coleman had quit his post on Friday as he prepared to take up an offer at Championship strugglers Sunderland. The 47-year-old had turned down a variety of offers from the FAW to accept the Black Cats jobs following a lengthy stand-off over a new deal.

Everton ace Williams, who had spoken to Coleman about his situation ahead of Friday while in international camp, insisted he and the rest of the Euro 2016 heroes had known there was a danger of seeing the former defender call time on his nearsix-year spell in the role.

But seeing the news confirmed prompted an outpouring of emotion from the tight-knit squad.

“We were all shocked,” Williams said. “We knew the talks were going on; I’d spoken to the gaffer during the week so we knew there was a risk he could go, but we never thought it would come to it because I knew deep down he wanted to stay.

“When the news came we were obviously disappointed and, being honest, a lot of the lads were quite angry. Obviously, we don’t know the full situation of what happened and how it played out, so it might well be that it’s misplaced, but that was the initial feeling.

“There’s obviously uncertainty about what happens now because of the strength of the relationship we had between the squad and the manager. Understandably, some of the lads are a little fearful of what might happen next, but we’ll wait and see.”

Williams, 33, says he and other senior members of the squad left behind by Coleman will ensure that players are ready to move on come the next international

Turn to Page 49