Ryan Giggs and John Hartson have both admitted they would like to manage Wales (20/1 to qualify for Euro 2012) with John Toshack set to step down on Thursday.
The position as head coach of the national side looks likely to be up for grabs very shortly with the Welsh football association calling a press conference for later in the week – when it is expected that Toshack will resign.
The decision comes after a disappointing World Cup qualifying campaign and a poor start on the road to Euro 2012, losing 1-0 to minnows Montenegro on Friday.
The defeat to the Balkan nation appears to have been the final nail in Toshack’s coffin and the former Real Madrid coach reportedly feels he has taken the young squad as far as he can.
The 61-year-old took over in 2004 after Wales had narrowly missed out on qualifying for Euro 2004, losing out to Russia in a play-off.
However, since then Welsh football has gone downhill and Toshack has been forced to try and blood a new generation of players with the likes of Robbie Savage, Giggs, Jason Koumas and Simon Davies all retiring from the international set-up.
While Wales have a good collection of youngsters, the likes of Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter and Jack Collison have so far failed to cut it on the international stage.
Toshack reportedly spent Monday in talks with the FAW in Cardiff to discuss his future and it seems inevitable he will step down before next month’s double header against Bulgaria and Switzerland (10/3 to beat England).
Despite Toshack’s resignation having not been confirmed, there is already a long list of candidates to take the post.
The likes of under-21 coach Brian Flynn, Mark Bowen and Kenny Jackett have all been linked with the job.
However, the favourite for the job already is Manchester United (11/5 Premier League outright) winger Giggs, despite the 36-year-old still being involved with first team action at Old Trafford.
With Giggs’ playing career drawing to a close it has been suggested he could be talked into an early retirement in order to take over the post.
While the United legend concedes it would be a dream come true to manage the national side he admits it might be tough to take up the post at this time.
“If you go into management, the big job is to be in charge of your country. And I’m no different in terms of thinking like that,” Giggs, who has already taken Uefa coaching badges, said in the Daily Telegraph.
“At the moment it is difficult, because I still have commitments as a player.”
Another name being thrown into the hat is that of former Arsenal, West Ham and Wimbledon striker Hartson, who says he would love to take over from Toshack.
“I don’t know how seriously the FAW [Football Association of Wales] would consider me,” Hartson told BBC 5 Live.
“But if they were to offer me the job it is something I’d… take seriously.”
“I’ve got all my [coaching] badges, I’ve worked with the best, I feel as if I’ve learnt a lot about the game and still have a long way to go and a lot to learn.”
Whether it Giggs, Hartson or someone the FAW are set to name a new manager before the team face Bulgaria and Switzerland next month.
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John Toshack is ready to walk out on Wales’ Euro 2012 qualification campaign (Yes 20/1, No 1/150 – To Qualify) following their 1-0 opening defeat in Montenegro on Friday, according to reports.
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Liverpool defender Paul Konchesky has admitted he is determined to take his chance and ‘play at the highest level’ with the Reds and says he cannot wait to turn out for his new club (Liverpool 6/4 – top four finish).
Wayne Rooney is expected to fly out with the rest of the England squad to Switzerland on Monday, despite allegations about his private life in two tabloid newspapers (England 5/6 to beat Switzerland).
Republic of Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni is relieved to have skipper Robbie Keane available for Tuesday’s Euro 2012 qualifier against Andorra (5/4 Republic of Ireland – To Qualify).
Scott Brown says it is crucial Scotland (11/2 to reach the finals) prove hard to beat at home if they are to stand a chance of qualifying for Euro 2012.