Euro 2016: Wales boost as Chris Coleman agrees new two-year deal

Euro 2016: Wales boost as Chris Coleman agrees new two-year deal
Chris Coleman will stay on as Wales manager for World Cup qualifying Credit: REUTERS

Chris Coleman has agreed to remain Wales manager for the 2018 World Cup campaign after finalising a new two-year contract with the Football Association of Wales.

Negotiations have been ongoing for several months, with Coleman always wanting to stay but having been prepared to go into this summer's European Championship with the issue still hanging over his head.

He is now happy with the improved offer that has been made and formal confirmation is planned on Monday.

Wales are hoping that Coleman’s renewed commitment will give their squad a major boost ahead of a first major tournament finals since 1958.

The decision is also a reflection of Coleman’s belief that this generation of Welsh players, led by Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey, can also reach the finals of the 2018 World Cup in Russia. 

Wales have been drawn against Moldova, Austria, Serbia, the Republic of Ireland and Georgia in Group D of World Cup qualifying. 

“We need to qualify again,” said Coleman. “We have to think how can we push on, get better and do it again in the World Cup.” 

Coleman’s squad travel to Portugal this week for a pre-Euro 2016 training camp in the Algarve where they will be without Bale, who is preparing for Real Madrid’s Champions League final with Atlético Madrid, as well as the midfielder Joe Ledley, who remains doubtful for Euro 2016 after fracturing a leg in Crystal Palace’s final Premier League game of the season.

Wales will play Sweden in a Stockholm friendly on June 5 before heading to their Brittany base in France. Their opening Euro 2016 group game is against Slovakia in Bordeaux on June 11. Wales then play England in Lens five days later before their final group match against Russia in Toulouse on June 20.

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