Source: Daily_Mail
John Toshack set to quit as Wales manager
All over: Toshack is walking away[LNB]Wales manager John Toshack is set to step down this afternoon after considerable speculation in recent days. [LNB]The 61-year-old's future has been unclear since Wales were beaten in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro last Friday. [LNB]Toshack was due to hold meetings with the Football Association of Wales this morning before speaking alongside the governing body's president Phil Pritchard and chief executive Jonathan Ford at a press conference. [LNB]Most attending will be expecting the former Real Madrid boss to announce he is standing down after almost six years in charge. [LNB]It remains to be seen whether that means he will leave the post immediately or remain in charge for next month's qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland while a successor is found. [LNB]Some reports have suggested current Under 21 boss Brian Flynn, formerly manager of Wrexham and Swansea, could take over on a caretaker basis. [LNB]Flynn is also a potential contender for the job full-time after impressing in his role with the country's youngsters. [LNB]Wales Under 21s failed to qualify for the European Championship play-offs by the narrowest of margins this week having reached that stage two years ago. [LNB]Others to have been linked with the job include former Wales internationals Chris Coleman, Mark Bowen, Ryan Giggs and John Hartson. [LNB]Whoever emerges from the field would need to have enjoyed an extraordinary career to better the track record of Toshack. [LNB]The former Liverpool striker began his management career by leading Swansea to the top flight before going on to take charge of eight clubs on the continent. [LNB] Humbled: Wales' Craig Bellamy speaks to the ref as his side crash in Montenegro[LNB]That included two spells with Spanish giants Real Madrid and three with Real Sociedad. [LNB]He first took charge of Wales in 1994 but relinquished the post after just one game. He returned 10 years later and has since overseen huge changes in the national side. [LNB]Several promising youngsters have emerged while a number of senior players such as Giggs, Gary Speed, Robbie Savage, Jason Koumas and Simon Davies have retired. [LNB]Critics have claimed the manner in which this change has occurred - not least an unsavoury row with Savage - has left a lot to be desired. [LNB]There was, though, genuine optimism last week as a team including Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale - with Aaron Ramsey and Jack Collison waiting to return from injury - began the Euro qualifiers. [LNB]That changed in the space of 90 minutes as Wales lost 1-0 in Podgorica and Toshack has since come in for considerable criticism. [LNB]If Toshack decides he has taken the team as far as he can, he would leave with a record of 21 wins from 53 games in his second spell. [LNB] Giggs warned: Take Wales job and your playing days at United are overSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsWales set to ask United star Giggs to join as a coach when Toshack quitsToshack quits and tips United stalwart Giggs to be the next Wales bossMontenegro 1 Wales 0: Toshack and Collins floored in Montenegro[LNB]
