THE FA of Wales (FAW) is considering an audacious approach for Chris Coleman, the Fulham manager, in an effort to stave off the threat of a revolt from the players if the “wrong man” is appointed in succession to Mark Hughes.
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Fulham Manager Chris Coleman
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Several players have objected to the prospect of John Toshack being appointed after his outspoken criticism of the Hughes regime. The FAW council is divided on Toshack, regarded by some as a potentially disruptive influence, and, with Bolton Wanderers advising Gary Speed, their midfield player, against taking the job, Coleman, a former Wales defender, has re-emerged as a serious target.
It was previously thought that Coleman would not consider leaving his post at Fulham to enter international management, but the FAW has been given unexpected encouragement during the past 48 hours. Although no direct contact has been made, the FAW has been informed that Coleman, who is employed by Fulham on a rolling one-year contract, is thought to have grown unsettled since reading reports of a proposed takeover of the London club by a syndicate from Turkey.
The biggest obstacle to such an appointment would be the financial aspect of any deal. Although Coleman is one of the lowest-paid managers in the Barclays Premiership, on about £600,000 a year, that is more than double the sum that the FAW paid Hughes, who has taken full-time charge of Blackburn Rovers. Under Hughes, the FAW’s football budget was increased considerably, but even for a candidate as attractive as Coleman, the council would be reluctant to stretch too far.
Certainly, any approach for Coleman would be welcomed by the Wales players, who had thrown their backing behind Speed rather than Toshack.
Speed, 35, is expected to figure in the new coaching set-up but not necessarily as manager. It is thought that he would be happy to work alongside a figure such as Coleman or Brian Flynn, the former Wrexham manager.