Toshack confirms Wales exit
Reuters - Thursday 09 September 2010, 13:52
LONDON - A weary-sounding John Toshack
resigned, somewhat reluctantly, as Wales coach on Thursday after
almost six years in the job.
The former Real Madrid coach, who also had a one-game spell
as manager of Wales in 1994, announced his decision at a
televised news conference in Cardiff.
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Toshack, 61, had been at the centre of speculation about his
future after Wales lost their opening Euro 2012 Group G
qualifier in Montenegro last week and said on Thursday he was
standing down with immediate effect.
He said he had been "a little disappointed with one or two
things" after a May friendly defeat in Croatia but initially
wanted to oversee the first three Euro qualifiers before
reviewing the situation.
"I discussed things with the president after the Montenegro
game, I gave my point of view and he gave his, and we came to
the agreement that it may be better for everybody concerned if a
change is made now," he said.
"As regards the next two games I think Wales are still very
much in this group. Now the decision has been made, hopefully
they will be able to get some positive results in the next two
games.
"Although there is not too much time for the new man I still
think the group is open and I will be there just like every
other fan at Cardiff's new stadium rooting for them to get a
result."
Wales next host Bulgaria on October 10 and visit Switzerland
four days later in Group G. They host England in March.
Toshack, a prolific striker with Liverpool and Wales in his
playing days from the late 1960s into the 1980s, made his name
as a manager by taking Swansea City on an incredible run from
the fourth division to the old first division in four years.
He went on to manage all over Europe, including two spells
at Real Madrid and three at Real Sociedad.
His first spell as Wales boss though lasted only one game in
1994 and though he had some promising moments during his second
after succeeding Mark Hughes, he never came close to getting his
country into their first major tournament finals since 1958.
Toshack was not helped by the premature international
retirement of some of Wales's leading players, most notably Ryan
Giggs, who continues to ply his trade with aplomb at Manchester
United while being touted as a future Wales manager.
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