By David Gold
January 19 – Chris Coleman has been unveiled as the successor to the late Gary Speed as Wales manager at what he described as “the most difficult press conference I am ever likely to do,” though Greek club Larissa claim he is still under contract to them.
Coleman had joined Larissa on a one-year deal in May 2011 but quit in early January, citing financial problems at the club.
A Larissa statement put on their website today read: “On 8 January, Chris Coleman gave his last interview as head coach of Larissa, saying the causes of his departure were unrelated to the national team of his country.
“Today, 11 days afterwards it has been announced officially that he will be the new national coach of Wales.
“Once it became known that Chris Coleman, who has a contract until next June, would be leaving, the club has been heavily criticised despite the President saying publicly he did everything to keep Coleman at the club.
“Instead of asking for an apology, we instead feel the need to apologise for our choice in appointing Chris Coleman.”
Despite the Greek club’s claims, Coleman was nonetheless unveiled today as the successor to the hugely popular Speed, who stunned the world of football when he committed suicide in November having masterminded an improvement in Wales’ form.
They finished the European Championship qualifying campaign well, beating Bulgaria, Switzerland and Montenegro in 2011, as well as crushing Norway 4-1 in a friendly.
Coleman managed Fulham in the Premier League from 2003 to 2007 before spells in charge of Real Sociedad and Coventry City.
The Welsh Football Association chief executive, Jonathan Ford, praised him as the ideal choice to replace Speed.
“This has been a very difficult process,” said Ford.
“We have explored every avenue, every scenario possible.
“All along we believe that we have been respectful and dignified and had no wish to be involved in a public debate on the appointment of Gary’s successor.”
Insisting that Wales hoped to build on Speed’s legacy, he said: “We have decided on the appointment of Chris Coleman to build on the excellent foundations put in place by Gary.”
Coleman said: “We’re still all shocked by what happened and we’re still grieving.
“And the only way we can put smiles on fans’ faces again is to continue to win matches but I don’t think we’ll ever get over the loss of Gary.
“I’ve already spoken with the FAW members… and I said ‘excuse me if I don’t seem that excited, I am excited, I’m just a little bit subdued because of the circumstances’.
“It won’t be easy but I’m looking forward to it.
“I think for any manager who was going to come in it was going to be difficult because of the situation and it’s more difficult for me with my relationship with Gary.
“On one hand it is the proudest moment of my career but on the other hand, with the circumstances I was very close friends with Gary for 30 years.
“It is the most difficult press conference I am ever likely to do.”
Coleman will take charge for the first time in a tribute game to Gary Speed when they play Costa Rica in a friendly in February, and they will begin their World Cup 2014 qualifiers in the autumn against Belgium.
Wales’ group includes Scotland, Croatia, Serbia and Macedonia.
Contact the writer of this story at zib.l1732428588labto1732428588ofdlr1732428588owedi1732428588sni@d1732428588log.d1732428588ivad1732428588
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