Chris Coleman needs long Wales contract, says Terry Yorath

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Chris Coleman

Ex-Wales manager Terry Yorath says current boss Chris Coleman should be given a longer contract.

Coleman was appointed on a two-and-a-half year contract which expires in the summer of 2014.

Wales' 2-1 win away to Scotland on Friday moved them third in Group A, although they face a tricky match against Croatia in Swansea on Tuesday.

"If you're a manager at that level then you need the comfort of a long-term contract," Yorath said.

"[Coleman] needs to see it through and he needs to see the young players coming through.

"Before, [former Wales caretaker boss and Wales Under-21 coach] Brian Flynn did a great job bringing them through and Chris needs to take that on and they [the Football Association of Wales] have to offer him that job."

Coleman endured a torrid start to his reign after taking over from the late Gary Speed, suffering a string of defeats as he tried to reshape a squad still reeling from the loss of their former boss.

The turning point came in last October's thrilling home win over Scotland in Cardiff and Wales' record in the last four games reads as a more encouraging won three, lost one.

That one defeat was away to Croatia, who arrive at Swansea's Liberty Stadium on Tuesday night seven points ahead of their hosts and vying with Belgium for top spot.

Croatia are ranked ninth in the world, with Wales down in 71st, and will provide another stern test, but Yorath says the display against Scotland shows real progress is being made under Coleman.

"I just couldn't believe the first half-hour where we kept the ball and we looked as if we're a really, really good side," Yorath told the BBC's Radio Wales Sport programme.

"The only problem was we didn't have a shot but, in saying that, we looked good, we looked comfortable.

"I was sat at home thinking 'this is too good' and then Scotland break away and they get a goal... but I really, really thought that was the best start I've seen from a Wales team for years.

"[Against Croatia] they'll have to do it, because they're up against a side that are very, very good, but the way they did it against Scotland on Friday night was something extraordinary.

"They just passed it for fun but there was no end product. We've got to get that, because if we don't then teams are going to pinch goals against us."

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45 comments

  • Comment posted by bradmylesswans, at 13:11 26 Mar 2013

    I think im the only who believes we can get something tonight, we were unlucky out in Croatia and made silly mistakes, we are improving game by game and there are some really talented youngsters coming through, if we don't make brazil, then try and finish as high as possible so we can be seeded higher for future qualifying rounds and maybe we wont get a nightmare group like the one we are in.

  • Comment posted by Owain ap Gruffudd, at 13:21 26 Mar 2013

    Finishing 3rd in this group would be a great achievement, and set us up with a better seeding for the Euros. Brazil is not going to happen, but there is good potential for the future.

    Anything tonight would be good, and a win would really rock things. What have Wales got to lose? Nothing, all the pressure is on Croatia to win the group.

  • Comment posted by U15419156, at 12:18 26 Mar 2013

    #12

    If you're any older than 15 you have some growing up to do.

  • Comment posted by U15419156, at 10:34 26 Mar 2013

    Coleman came in under the most difficult of circumstances; having to replace the irreplaceable. He's done a reasonable job (looking beyond results) and I for one would not be upset at him being offered a longer deal.

    What I can't understand is why anyone in football management feels they need a longer contract to perform/plan? If the Welsh FA want to replace him, they will.

  • Comment posted by Owain ap Gruffudd, at 14:48 26 Mar 2013

    @20. umpteenth_time_user save 606 = WUM

    Some people enjoy the genuine football debate on these forums. Sadly some individuals have no interest in the topic or the subject. These individuals, in a very immature manner,post provocatively. Then, return constantly to look at who has responded to their WUM post. What a sad world to exist within.

    Cymru am Byth

  • Comment posted by U13860838, at 14:10 26 Mar 2013

    @23 Our Rugby team is better, we look at the bigger picture not just one game. Rugby World Cup champions 2003 :)
    ----
    Wow, why not talk about 1966 too.
    If you didn't notice, we stuffed your rugby team a few weeks back.
    Overall record is equal in wins against each other.
    We've won a rugby world cup more recently than you also.
    3 slams in 8 years, +1 championship
    Stick too football my friend.

  • Comment posted by The Donald, at 14:05 26 Mar 2013

    @24
    2003 is now ten years ago. Everybody (including the England squad) would admit that we are better than you at rugby.

    Just accept it and show some matuirity.

  • Comment posted by bradmylesswans, at 13:36 26 Mar 2013

    #20 surely if you cast your mind back 2 weeks ago you'll remember we wiped the floor with England in the grand slam decider, you ant possibly think your rugby team is better? and for that matter our national football team is catching you up, we have the best player in Britain in our team too! that's right WALES ;)

  • Comment posted by U15359931, at 11:47 26 Mar 2013

    #7 'Two wins against a terrible Scotland side'

    I'm Scottish, so come off it! We weren't that good.

  • Comment posted by U15422575, at 10:09 28 Mar 2013

    one good season with fulham doesnt make him a good manager, hes a terrible manager who has done nothing an gets the chance at international management, its a joke, mark hughes would be the ideal replacement because he did very well when he was in charge and has much more managerial experience than alot of others.

  • Comment posted by YnysmeudwyJack, at 19:05 27 Mar 2013

    Wales have been building for the next campaign, EVERY campaign since 2004 Euros but its the same old story. Talent raises hope - dismal start - hope fades - go 4 it next time. For us to have any chance of 2016 then CC HAS to deliver 3rd place otherwise it'll be the same old story all over again. A longer contract isn't needed rather a settled first 11 playing regularly, something thats been 2 rare

  • Comment posted by U15627687, at 22:02 26 Mar 2013

    He has always talked a good game!! He comes across as being a bit full of it in my opinion! Walk before you can run!!

    Is terence yorath his agent??

  • Comment posted by U15529541, at 20:26 26 Mar 2013

    @33 - Yes he had a few good seasons at Fulham before being sacked, but didn't do so well at Coventry. I am not saying he is a bad manager - just that his level is championship - which after all is a very good standard. I also think he was the best man for the job

  • Comment posted by Owain ap Gruffudd, at 19:20 26 Mar 2013

    I think Mark Hughes is a fantastic manager. Just look at what he achieved while he was at QPR?

  • Comment posted by The Mighty Beaver, at 18:56 26 Mar 2013

    What ever happened to spelling and punctuation?

    Some of the comments on this forum are barely understandable! You know who you are - or do you?

  • Comment posted by Football_understand, at 18:39 26 Mar 2013

    @33 i thot coleman done quite well with Fulham? no?

  • Comment posted by who_dat, at 18:00 26 Mar 2013

    JRhartley
    to within 1 game of qualification.
    ====================================

    How many points lead did he let slip?
    How many youngsters did he blood?
    When Speed took over his team consisted of has beens and old timers, many of whom retired when Hughes left.

    You may not regard him as a flop, but he certainly wasn't successful.

  • Comment posted by U15614535, at 17:45 26 Mar 2013

    34. who_dat
    Look at Mark Hughes, he flopped as Wales manager.
    ______________________________________________

    A joke, right? By your reckoning, every Wales boss since '76 (see http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17787913) is a 'flop'. Nonsense, of course. Absurd label for a guy who takes a nation of that size (and vitally where football is NOT the no.1 sport) to within 1 game of qualification.

  • Comment posted by georgiesthebest7, at 17:37 26 Mar 2013

    Is Yorath implying that without a longer term contract Coleman will somehow be a less effective Manager for Wales? Oh yes, says Coleman, " I'm not trying any more because I've only got 12 months left on my contract!!" what rubbish?

  • Comment posted by who_dat, at 17:22 26 Mar 2013

    33.abertawe
    Coleman was a championship standard manager at club leve, but that doesn't mean he will be a failure or success of an international team
    ===============================

    I agree.
    Look at Mark Hughes, he flopped as Wales manager.

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