Page to remain on as Wales manager despite failure

• Published date: 28 March 2024
• Publication title: Irish Times (Dublin, Ireland)

Wales agonisingly missed out on a place in Germany this summer as Poland won a playoff final 5-4 on penalties at Cardiff City Stadium following a goalless 120 minutes

The defeat left question marks over Page’s future, but those doubts have been quickly removed by Football Association of Wales (FAW) president Steve Williams.

Williams told BBC Wales: “The FAW can confirm Rob Page is their manager for the forthcoming campaign in accordance with his contract. Rob is the manager. His contract runs to the end of the World Cup and that is how we continue to work.”

Page took over from Ryan Giggs in November 2020, first on an interim basis and led Wales at the delayed European Championship the following summer. He was appointed permanent manager after Wales’ World Cup playoff final victory over Ukraine in June 2022.

The 49-year-old subsequently signed a four-year deal the following September two months ahead of the World Cup.

But Page’s stock with fans fell following a poor tournament in Qatar when they scored only once and finished bottom of their group with one point.

Key players such as Gareth Bale, Wales’ talismanic captain and record caps holder and goalscorer, and Joe Allen retired after the World Cup.

Page had to rebuild the side during Euro 2024 qualifying, which saw...