Wales make decision over future of coach Rob Page

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 21 June 2024

Wales make a decision on the future of coach Rob Page after their near-miss with Euro 2024 qualification and subsequent disappointing friendly results.

Wales boss Rob Page has been removed from his position with immediate effect.

The 49-year-old was responsible for guiding Wales to their first appearance at a World Cup for 64 years when they qualified for the 2022 tournament.

However, since that disappointing stint in Qatar, the Dragons have dropped off in consistency and quality, coinciding with the retirement of Gareth Bale.

Although Wales scraped a place in the Euro 2024 playoffs and subsequently reached the final, they missed out on a place in Germany after a penalty-shootout defeat to Poland in March.

With that representing the eighth game in succession that Wales had avoided defeat, Page remained optimistic that he could deliver another appearance at a World Cup.

Wales' Daniel James looks dejected after losing the penalty shootout on March 26, 2024 © Reuters

June friendly results prove costly

Instead, Page's position was brought into considerable doubt once a second-string side could only record a goalless draw against international minnows Gibraltar.

That was followed by a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Slovakia three days later, Wales supporters reacting by venomously calling for the departure of their long-serving boss.

As a result, week-long discussions were held with the relevant parties, the final decision being that Wales required a fresh start ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League campaign.

Noel Mooney, FAW Chief Executive Officer, said: "On behalf of myself and the entire FAW, I extend our heartfelt gratitude to Rob for his commitment and dedication to his roles for the National Teams.

"Under Rob Page's leadership, our Cymru men's team has achieved significant milestones and victories which have created many incredible memories for our nation, most notably our first World Cup in sixty-four years.

"We remain focused on our FAW value of 'Excellence' and look forward to the opportunities for our national teams and Welsh Football."

Wales manager Rob Page after the match on October 11, 2023 © Reuters

Rob Page legacy remains intact

Thrust into the job in November 2020, Page soon led Wales to the last 16 of Euro 2020 - which took place in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic - before suffering a 4-0 defeat at the hands of Denmark.

From there, though, Wales embarked on an unbeaten qualifying campaign for the World Cup, finishing second to Belgium and needing to go through the playoffs.

Victories over Austria and Ukraine will live long in the memory, more so than their efforts in Qatar as they drew with United States before deserved defeats to Iran and England.

Since then, just five wins have come from 14 matches, the most notable being versus Croatia and Finland, and Page leaves his role with 15 wins, 16 draws and 14 defeats from his 45 games in charge.