Chris Coleman has offered a coy response to questions about his Wales future, amid interest from West Ham United.
Chris Coleman, Manager of Wales
Wales manager Chris Coleman has told The Guardian that he won’t be making any decisions over his future just yet, after his side failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Wales went into Monday’s crunch match with the Republic of Ireland needing just a point to secure a play-off place, having beaten Georgia 1-0 on Friday thanks to Tom Lawrence’s goal.
Without Gareth Bale though, Wales struggled against Ireland, and ultimately fell to a 1-0 defeat at the Cardiff City Stadium thanks to James McClean’s second-half winner.
James McClean of the Republic of Ireland celebrates scoring against Wales
Ireland now head into the play-offs, whilst Serbia top the group and go straight into the World Cup group stage, with Wales’ campaign and World Cup hopes now over.
Having come so close to qualifying, Welsh football his hurting from Monday’s defeat, and questions are now being asked about manager Chris Coleman’s future.
Coleman’s contract is believed to run until the end of Wales’ World Cup campaign, which could have taken him to next summer, but instead may make him available immediately unless a new deal can be agreed.
Recently, the Daily Star reported that West Ham United are keeping close tabs on Coleman’s situation, as they potentially line up the former Fulham boss a replacement for the under-fire Slaven Bilic.
Coleman has now told The Guardian that he is trying not to think about his future, but admitted that he can’t give an answer on his position right now, as there is a chance he will stay, and also a chance he will leave and seek a new job.
“It’s six years I’ve been in charge, or coming up to it at Christmas, and I can’t say right now about my future because I’m not thinking about it. I’m thinking about the fact there’s a dressing room full of devastated players and staff,” said Coleman.
“The whole nation will be mourning and disappointed because, again, that elusive World Cup has passed us by. There’s a chance I can [stay] and a chance I won’t. I can’t give an answer right now. There will be a conversation in due course and there’s a friendly next month. My contract is until the summer but right now I’m thinking about the experience, I’ll go back to my family and take a bit of time. When the dust settles we’ll see where we go,” he added.
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