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Wales draw up list of potential replacements to replace manager Rob Page

Wales reportedly draw up a list of potential replacements to replace manager Rob Page, and already have a number one choice in mind.

Mail Sport claimed that Steve Cooper had been their top target with talks being held on Page’s future after facing growing pressure from the fanbase due to the dismal form of late including a 0-0 draw to Gibraltar and a 4-0 defeat to Slovakia, Wales’ joint-heaviest defeat since the 4-0 defeat to Denmark at Euro 2020 in 2021.

However Steve Cooper has instead opted for Leicester City, taking the job and coming in to replace Enzo Maresca. See more HERE.

Page held talks with the likes of Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney, president Steve Williams and technical director Dave Adams as to what happens next, and have now come to an agreement that a change was needed.

On the 21st of June, Wales manager Rob Page is set to leave his role after three and a half years in charge.’s Dafydd Pritchard reported that the Page is set to leave his role after three and a half years in charge.

STATEMENT:

The Football Association of Wales has taken the decision to end Rob Page’s contract as Men’s National Team Head Coach.

Page was appointed as Cymru Manager on an interim basis in November 2020 and was given the role on a permanent basis in September 2022. During his time in charge, Page managed the team in the UEFA EURO 2020 finals and led Cymru to the 2022 FIFA World Cup finals, which was Cymru’s first appearance in a World Cup since 1958. During his time in charge, Cymru also secured promotion to League A in the UEFA Nations League.

Prior to taking on the role of Men’s National Team Manager, Page was the U21 Head Coach since 2017 and oversaw the development of several players into the senior team environment, including Dan James, Harry Wilson and Joe Rodon amongst many others.

Dave Adams, FAW Chief Football Officer, said: “I would like to thank Rob for his work with the Association over the last seven years, firstly as the U21s Head Coach and then onto the role of Cymru Head Coach.”

“Rob’s work has delivered success reaching the Round of 16 at EURO 2020 and qualification to the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and during his period we also integrated 18 pathway players into the senior squad. As we move forward this experience will support our objective to consistently qualify our Men’s National Team to major tournaments.”

Noel Mooney, FAW Chief Executive Officer, said: “On behalf of myself and the entire FAW, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rob for his commitment and dedication to his roles for the National Teams.”

“Under Rob Page’s leadership, our Cymru men’s team has achieved significant milestones and victories which have created many incredible memories for our nation, most notably our first World Cup in sixty-four years.”

“We remain focused on our FAW value of ‘Excellence’ and look forward to the opportunities for our national teams and Welsh Football.”

FAW President, Steve Williams commented: “I am incredibly grateful for all that Rob has done in his role as Cymru Men’s National Team Manager and I want to put on record my gratitude for taking Cymru to EURO 2020 and the FIFA World Cup.”

“Rob’s passion for the country shone through in his visits to schools, clubs and communities across the breadth of Wales. I know Rob was incredibly proud of taking the World Cup squad announcement to his hometown of Tylorstown.”

The Welsh FA (FAW) officials are evaluating their options, with the Nations League campaign, which begins in September with a match against Turkey, in mind.

Mail Sport also report that ex-Leeds, Leicester and Llanelli player turned Wales Under-21 coach Matty Jones also being looked at as a potential replacement.

Wales could also consider naming a well-known former footballer alongside an experienced coach like Osian Roberts.

Potential contenders – BetVictor – 21st June
Osian Roberts – 4/1
Craig Bellamy – 5/1
Sam Allardyce – 6/1
Nathan Jones – 8/1
Paul Heckingbottom – 12/1
Liam Rosenior – 12/1
Roy Keane – 12/1
Mark Hughes – 14/1
Willy Sagnol – 16/1
Steve Evans – 16/1
Scott Parker – 16/1
Nigel Pearson – 16/1
Anthony Hudson – 16/1

Page did have success in his spell as Wales boss, guiding them to Euro 2020 qualification in 2021 and led them to their first World Cup appearance since 1958.

But their performance at Qatar 2022 was a disappointing one, leading to increased pressure on Page, despite coming close to securing a spot in Euro 2024.

Although the 49 year old still has two years remaining on his contract, defeat against Poland in the Euro 2024 play-offs, and the poor showings against Gibraltar and Slovakia, has now got FAW officials exploring other options.

Page, who had over two years left on his contract he signed in September 2022, said sorry to Wales fans after defeat to Slovakia, adding it is “up to the powers that be” to decide if he stays in the job.

“I get it, I’m a supporter myself,” Page said to S4C after he and his side were booed off.

“I went over to the supporters and clapped them with the lads. When the lads went, I made a point of saying to them ‘it’s on me and I’ll take it’.

“I apologised to the supporters at the end. Their support tonight was immense and I completely understand their frustration.

“If the powers that be decide I’m not the one to lead them forward then that’s their decision.

“But I’m fully focused on what the two games were useful for.

“We see that there are some young players that will be an addition to the squad come September.”

“We didn’t have any of the back five and we’ve tried to give games, minutes and caps to some of the younger players,” said Page.

“It was an opportunity for us to look to the future and Lewis Koumas is an absolute positive.

“Without these two games we wouldn’t have seen his capabilities. He will be the next JJ (Jordan James), that’s the positive coming out of the camp.

“Young Fin Stevens has given a good account of himself. To throw him in the deep end in a game like this he deserves credit for that mature performance.

“The two games served as a purpose for us to expose some of these players and now we know come September (in the Nations League) what young players we’ve got to step up.”

Page added: “They haven’t had to work too hard for the goals. We’ve gifted them goals.

“When you’re playing top-level international football you get found out if you’re not at it.

“I’m not making excuses, but Slovakia have come off a camp and it’s been a month since our lads played football.

“We had two training sessions before we played our first game. We’ve not had lot of time together, I’m not making excuses that’s a fact.”

Rob Page has since pulled out of appearing at Neil Warnock’s live show ‘One Last Time’ in Cardiff on the 21st of June, amid increased pressure from fans .

This is what fans are saying amid reports that Wales have decided to draw up a list of potential replacements to replace manager Rob Page…

@alwooller: Cooper in – Ossian as assistant 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⚽️

@SeanMills6: There’s no way Rob Page comes back from this. He’s lost the fans for good, and it’ll only get more toxic. For any prospective manager, you would 100% want the Nations League to bed your ideas in before a qualifying campaign. Mooney has to act now.

@RobMorg99327338: Osian got to be involved in some capacity. He’s the one to get the best out of our youngsters.

@Matthew_Wyn97: Has Rob Page been sacked yet 🤔

@ElevatedType11: Scientists estimate there could be an infinite amount of parallel universes out there, and in none of them is Rob Page ‘a very good manager’. He was the cheap option which allowed the FAW to cut corners. They are now reaping what they sowed.

@PhilRichards01: Osian Roberts. Should have had the job straight after the world cup shambles.

@CheyeneDog: We had a disastrous world cup and we have been in freefall since. It was Page’s fault we didn’t qualify for the Euros from what was an easy group. His substitutions & lack of them at times plus playing players our of position & his formations have cost us dearly. He has to go.

@bbbmufc: Cooper and Osian

@Gethinj1: I would let hin start the next campaign but slow start he must go. Bit of an ultimatum. Harsh to let him go after coming so close and on 2 friendlies where i imagine the lads minds are on the beach already but if i was the FAW i would have a list of replacements ready to go.

@ChallisMusings: As a Cymru fan I too am disappointed and believe that its time for a change of Manager but the vitriol aimed by some at Rob Page is totally unacceptable. He’s still one of us remember!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿⚽️

@stephen2573: It’s time to turn the page on his tenure

@gazthebluebird1: There’s a reason he hasn’t managed above league 1 before being in the right place at the right time. He’s lower league at very best and is currently way out of his depth.

@jwales37: I don’t agree that he an excellent manager. He wasn’t very good for U23s. He nice guy and all. But this whole he one of us thing is not a good argument for keeping him on. We can’t just think it’s ok cos he one of us, when we are going backwards fast. He got to go

@ukmanimal100: Have to go for Osian, give him the job now, full prep for the qualifying campaign and he will certainly improve the quality of play. Whether this group of players is good enough to qualify under any manager remains a huge question mark of course

@WrexhamCanada: There is absolutely no way Rob Page can remain as Manager for Wales; but at the same time I wouldn’t be shocked if he did.

@jameskd170: Rob Page as part of the coaching staff is not a bad option but giving him the role as head coach is proving to be quite a knock. He’s helped us qualify for the World Cup and we will be forever grateful but there comes a time where you need to part ways before it gets worse

@rickmainz1989: Osian Roberts or Steve Cooper for me. Job is too early for Craig Bellamy, need experience and stability going into Nations League

@Mikeyccfc: I agree he needs leave. When he does leave, we’ll still have a very average squad of players who mostly play in the Championship. I wouldn’t expect to see a massive uplift in performances and results whoever he’s replaced with. We’re just not very good without Bale.

@theglf62: I appreciate that Rob Page maybe a great guy with football in his heart, but Wales have gone backward under his leadership. He needs to go and soon

@MartinBarry20: Sorry Rob but we need a change. We’re not progressing.

@0joejones833: Bellamy, Osian, cooper? Fukin me at this point.

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