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Chris Coleman leaves Wales role for Sunderland job

Last updated on .From the section Wales comments 724
Chris Coleman: Farewell to a Welsh managerial hero

Chris Coleman has left his job as Wales manager to take over at Championship club Sunderland.

Coleman will succeed Simon Grayson, who was sacked after 18 games in charge.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) confirmed: "Regretfully, Chris Coleman has resigned from his position with immediate effect."

Ex-defender Coleman, 47, succeeded the late Gary Speed in 2012 and guided them to an historic appearance at Euro 2016, where they reached the semi-finals.
Chris Coleman 'Wales' most successful boss' - Danny Gabbidon

Disappointment followed as Wales failed to reach the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia.

Coleman's assistant Kit Symons has also left his role of Wales coach.

Ex-Wales winger Ryan Giggs and West Bromwich Albion's Welsh manager Tony Pulis were among bookmakers' early favourites to succeed Coleman.

FAW 'extremely disappointed' by Coleman departure

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "We are extremely disappointed to see Chris' tenure as Wales manager come to an end.

"The FAW and Wales as a nation will be eternally grateful for the job he has done over the last six years as national team manager, from travelling the length and breadth of Wales outside of the media spotlight to talk to players and supporters, to guiding us to the semi-finals of the European Championships.

"We wish Chris the very best of luck for the future as he returns to club management, a desire for which he has always been honest and open about."

After Wales' qualifying campaign for the 2018 tournament ended in defeat by the Republic of Ireland, Coleman's last two games in charge were a 2-0 loss to France and 1-1 home draw against Panama in November, 2017.

Negotiations between Coleman and the FAW continued after the game against the Central Americans.

Those talks ended with Coleman leaving. He had often spoken about hoping to return to the day-to-day demands of club management amid a career that has included being in charge of Fulham in the Premier League.

'I'm gutted, really disappointed' - Gabbidon

Ex-Wales defender Danny Gabbidon told BBC Sport Wales: "I'm gutted, really disappointed. I know all the fans will be, the players will be as well.

"I know how much they thought of the manager - he was more than just a manager.

"There was a kind of player relationship between the squad and the manager so they'll be gutted hearing that news as well."

Coleman's reign began with Wales 48th in Fifa's world rankings and it ends with them in 14th place.

He will take over at Sunderland, who are bottom of the Championship with one win, seven draws and eight defeats so far this season.
Chris Coleman's last interview as boss: 'I think I'm the man' to lead Wales

Sunderland are aiming to confirm a deal with Coleman by Sunday.

There is an expectation at the Stadium of Light he will be in charge for their away game against Aston Villa on Tuesday night.

Despite speculation over Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill, Coleman was the club's number one target and no offers were made to other candidates.

Coleman wanted the FAW to employ head of performance Ryland Morgans and psychologist Ian Mitchell on full-time contracts.

The FAW also offered to spend £500,000 on upgrading training facilities.

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724 comments

  • Comment posted by D1679223888070, at 20:34 17 Nov 2017

    I think he realised he couldn't get anywhere near the heights of Euro 2016 with Wales again, he needed a new challenge. However choosing Sunderland is a big surprise, be lucky to last until end of the season at that poisonous club. Best of luck Chris, you're going to need it.

  • Comment posted by Rich-D, at 20:35 17 Nov 2017

    WOW Chris Coleman, WOW!!
    Spoke of fulfilling his champs league ambitions one day, joined Sunderland the next........managerial suicide!!

  • Comment posted by User0586616272, at 20:41 17 Nov 2017

    Why oh why would he want to manage Sunderland

  • Comment posted by Simulations, at 20:32 17 Nov 2017

    Another poor soul takes a sip from the poisoned chalice

  • Comment posted by longhorsetoon, at 20:34 17 Nov 2017

    He hasn’t quit he has just taken a well paid sabbatical. He will be sacked in time to return to the Wales job before their next game in late March

  • Comment posted by sproket, at 20:32 17 Nov 2017

    Another promising managerial career ruined in Sunderland

  • Comment posted by Edhutch, at 20:34 17 Nov 2017

    We all work for a wage and no doubt Sunderland have an offer Wales can't compete with. France 16 was Euphoric for us Welsh - Chris Coleman, thank you and good luck you Welsh Legend. Hartson or Bellamy next as they have passion - hopefully not Giggs who couldn't be bothered to turn out for many Wales games.

  • Comment posted by JimBobJr, at 20:32 17 Nov 2017

    What a horrendous decision

  • Comment posted by Sheepy, at 20:33 17 Nov 2017

    A basket case of a club.

    I always thought Coleman had great judgement.

    Obviously not.

  • Comment posted by User0871096436, at 20:42 17 Nov 2017

    Good luck in your new role, you’ll be missed, thanks for euro memories. A lot of people said you were lucky to inherit gary speeds good work but to be fair you did us proud!!

    Diolch yn fawr

  • Comment posted by User0890020788, at 21:23 17 Nov 2017

    Well I am a life long NUFC fan...............Sunderland is an amazing place with a fantastic stadium and loyal fans that want the club to succeed I hope this guy brings success for all the hardworking supporters that buy ferrari's for the people that kick around a football.

  • Comment posted by Glad All Over - CPFC, at 21:22 17 Nov 2017

    First time Ryan Giggs pitches up for international duty is to hand in his CV.

  • Comment posted by Wee Brian, at 20:31 17 Nov 2017

    Good luck to Chris Coleman. He's going to need it.

  • Comment posted by The Vicar, at 20:31 17 Nov 2017

    A big mistake by Coleman, he did wonders with Wales, he will not do that with Sunderland as they (the board) won't allow it

  • Comment posted by Release Dai Morris, at 21:36 17 Nov 2017

    126. Posted by Darin Morse
    We are Sunderland, the greatest club in the world bar none.

    Blimey i was just about to have a beer, but i think i will have some of what your on....

  • Comment posted by BluePG, at 21:08 17 Nov 2017

    Welcome to the world of football in 2017. Manager eschews role of manager of own nation to go to a role that he’ll be fired from in 18 months. In that time he’ll earn £30,000 a week. He’ll get fired, and will pick up a £1million severance.

    Game has gone. And BBC do a survey as to why youngsters don’t go an watch football. Look at D-grade players on £20,000 a week.

  • Comment posted by michael sira-parfitt, at 21:40 17 Nov 2017

    Thanks Chris for making wales a team that punches well above its weight and putting us on the football map - good luck in your new project diolch yn fawr (thanks very much)

  • Comment posted by barca, at 22:04 17 Nov 2017

    Ryan Giggs is 1/2 on favourite to be the new Wales manager with William Hills will someone tell the Welsh FA that he doesn't turn up for friendly matches so they will need someone else to do them!

  • Comment posted by Heppy, at 20:38 17 Nov 2017

    Either Ellis Short has found a few million quid down the back of the sofa for signings in January or Coleman is making a big mistake.

  • Comment posted by User0938513697, at 22:31 17 Nov 2017

    Thanks for a truly wonderful job at Wales Chris!

    I for one will never forget the beautiful memories of following Wales around France last summer as the only British national team to reach the semis of a major tournament in the last 21 years...a fantastic achievement!

    Stronger Together!

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