Chris Coleman is currently in Portugal as the Wales squad prepare for next month’s Euro 2016 finals in France. Coleman will also be in charge for the World Cup qualifying campaign after agreeing a new deal with the Football Association of Wales. Despite some difficult talks, it was essentially a rubber-stamping job. But should it have been? Is Coleman the only man? Dai Sport columnist Ross Tyson says the re-hiring may have been premature.
The FAW have announced that Chris Coleman’s contract as Wales manager has been extended and will run beyond the 2018 World Cup. Speaking about the news, FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: “There is no one better-qualified than Chris to lead Wales into its first World Cup in 60 years.” But is that statement necessarily true?
I’ll start out by saying this certainly isn’t a hate campaign. ‘Cookie’ has just done what no manager since Jimmy Murphy has done – taken Wales to a major international tournament. That, in itself, is a fantastic achievement. However, to don the red horns and put my arm around my advocate the devil for a moment, here are a few questions to ask about Coleman:
Is qualification enough?
In the euphoric state since qualification one question has not been definitively answered; what will represent a successful tournament? With four 3rd place teams advancing, it’s not too far-fetched to think Wales, could, and should, be getting out of their group.
Most major nations will be assessing their manager based almost solely on their tournament performance (unless they’re England). If Wales want to be rubbing shoulders with these such nations, should we not be doing the same? Should we have waited before extending Coleman’s contract? What happens if we struggle in our first few World Cup qualifiers? Qualification as top seeds should certainly be attainable.
Were we always going to qualify?
It’s something Cymruphobes are quick to forget, but even if the Euros had only included 16 teams, Wales would still have qualified (2nd in our group) thanks in no small part to some astute tactics from Coleman.
That being said, however, a squad this talented – with a spine of Hennessey, Williams, Allen, Ramsey, Bale – should have qualified regardless of their manager. Gary Speed was certainly building an impressive side, and others I’m sure would love to get their hands on this Welsh team. Even the staunchest SA Brains-blooded Welshman would also have to admit that, but for a few miracle saves, blocks and last minute Bale-outs, we might not have taken our seats in France. Would not Mark Hughes’ 2003 side have qualified for a 24-team, expanded Euro 2004? Quite possibly.
What are ‘Cookie’s’ favourite ingredients?
One minor criticism levelled against Coleman is his seemingly unwavering selection of certain players, and his perhaps puzzling omission of others. James Collins, for example, has had to sit on the bench quite a few times while full backs are squeezed into the centre, despite injuries and the West Ham player’s own impressive form.
Tom Bradshaw, even though he has scored 40 goals in the last two seasons, has amassed less than 30 minutes of international football, while Simon Church and increasingly, Tom Lawrence are squad mainstays. It has to be said, however, that as of yet, this hasn’t affected Wales in competitive games.
Has Wales’ recent form been good?
Wales’ form in their last five games reads: LWLDL, with the win coming against Andorra, who only turned up for 70 minutes and half of them were useless. The obvious counter to this is the fact that three of those games were friendlies and didn’t feature Ramsey, Bale and other likely France squad players. Yet, the form is indisputably poor.
Most nations would, of course, miss a talisman like our Madridsta, but isn’t the inflexibility beyond, “keep it tight and give it to Gareth” (as shown against Israel) slightly worrying?
Conclusion
Chris Coleman will deservedly take his Wales squad to France on a wave of appreciation. He has earned himself a place in Welsh football legend. But, for me, portraying him as an untouchable mastermind is, at the very least, a little premature.
So, do you agree with me or should I “get banged” for such opinion? Let us know on Twitter or in the comments section.