Wales fires men's coach Rob Page after nearly four years in charge
Wales' head coach Rob Page looks from the bench before the Euro 2024 group D qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Wales at the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia, Wednesday, March 29, 2023. Wales has fired coach Rob Page after nearly four years in charge of the men’s national team. Wales ended a 64-year World Cup drought under Page’s leadership but the team failed to qualify for Euro 2024 and played poorly in recent friendlies. Credit: AP/Darko Bandic
CARDIFF, Wales — Wales fired coach Rob Page on Friday after nearly four years in charge of the men's national team.
Wales ended a 64-year World Cup drought under Page's leadership but the team failed to qualify for Euro 2024 and played poorly in recent friendlies.
Page took charge in November 2020 as interim coach and then was given the job on a permanent basis in September 2022.
He also led Wales to the European Championship three years ago. The team advanced to the round of 16, where it lost to Denmark 4-0.
“Under Rob Page’s leadership, our Cymru men’s team has achieved significant milestones and victories which have created many incredible memories for our nation, most notably our first World Cup in 64 years,” Wales FA chief executive Noel Mooney said. “We remain focused on our FAW value of ‘Excellence’ and look forward to the opportunities for our national teams and Welsh football.”
Page initially took over on an interim basis after then-coach Ryan Giggs went on leave.
The 49-year-old Page guided the team to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Wales finished last in its group, managing just a 1-1 draw with the United States. It was Wales' first World Cup appearance since 1958.
Wales coach Rob Page gestures during the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Poland and Wales, at the Tarczynski Arena Wroclaw in Wroclaw, Poland, Wednesday, June 1, 2022. Wales has fired coach Rob Page after nearly four years in charge of the men’s national team. Wales ended a 64-year World Cup drought under Page’s leadership but the team failed to qualify for Euro 2024 and played poorly in recent friendlies. Credit: AP/Michal Dyjuk
Page signed a four-year contract in September 2022 with goals of securing qualification to Euro 2024 and then the 2026 World Cup. He was previously coach of Wales Under-21s.
Recent results in friendlies were disappointing: a 4-0 loss to Slovakia, and a 0-0 draw with Gibraltar.