Gareth Bale praises Wales manager Chris Coleman for their Euro 2016 run

Gareth Bale has praised manager Chris Coleman for his part in Wales' epic run at Euro 2016 in France.

Wales reached the semi-finals in their first major tournament in 60 years.

Speaking ahead of the launch of the film celebrating Wales' run, called Don't Take Me Home, Gareth Bale said Chris Coleman is a motivational manager.

"The manager's come in and been incredible," he says.

"He's got us playing the type of football we want to play and that we like to play."

Gareth Bale was Wales' star player in France, scoring three goals but he says the spirit in the team was all important.

"The thing with us is all the team have grown up together through the youth teams, we've come into the senior team now.

"It's been a long hard process, we've gone through some ups and downs and it shows what we've been aiming for in the last 10 years.

"It's been a project, not something that happens overnight."

Five years ago, Wales struggled to sell out some of their home matches.

Wales had an open top bus parade and homecoming party in Cardiff after their exploits at Euro 2016

Gareth reckons his team has now changed perceptions in a country better known for its love affair with rugby.

"Hopefully with the national team, we can inspire young people and put football back on top in Wales again."

Despite the highs of France 2016, Wales aren't guaranteed to reach the World Cup in Russia next year.

They're currently third in their qualifying group, behind leaders Ireland and Serbia, with a trip to Ireland to come in March.

Wales lost in the semi-finals at Euro 2016 to eventual champions Portugal

"We're still in a good position," Gareth says. "We're four points off the top team and we play the top team next, so we can be a point behind.

"Obviously we'd prefer to be top with a lot more points but we're still confident we can qualify."

Gareth Bale insists the first goal is to reach Russian 2018 and then anything is possible.

"We know if we keep working hard and get that bit of luck you need as a team, we can go all the way.

"Of course it's going to be hard, but we have to dream big to achieve big. Obviously it was an incredible journey we went on, but we have to look to the future also.

"The aim now is to qualify for the World Cup and to go through and try and win it."

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