Robert Page: Emotional Wales boss blocks out speculation about future

Manager Robert Page insists speculation about his future will not affect him as Wales aim to qualify for Euro 2024.

Page has been under pressure during a disappointing qualifying campaign in which his side are fourth in Group D.

"We've got to ignore all the noise," said the 49-year-old.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has reportedly been targeting potential successors, but an emotional Page said his only focus was Sunday's pivotal qualifier at home to Croatia.

"It is noise and that's it, so we try to protect the players as much as we can," added Page. "The full focus will be on the game tomorrow night.

"I have not spoken to the chief executive [of the FAW, Noel Mooney] so it is speculation. I have not spoken to him at all about it, so I could not tell you whether it is true or not.

"All I have to focus on is [that] before the World Cup I signed a four-year deal and the long-term plan for me is to start introducing young players into the group.

"We are in a transition period and we have said this time and time again. We are losing big players like Joe Allen and Gareth Bale. Not just for what they bring us on the pitch, but also the value they add in the changing room.

"We've seen the talent we've got coming through. We're developing these young players and it's going to take time.

"I get the frustration. We want to win games of football, but there's got to be a bit of perspective. I'm doing what's best for the FAW, not myself."

A defiant Page spoke at a news conference on Saturday to preview Sunday's qualifier against Croatia.

His assistant coaches Alan Knill, Tony Roberts and Ian Mitchell took the unusual step of joining Page for the conference, standing at the back of the room in an apparent show of unity.

"That's never been in doubt for me," said Page. "I wish the supporters and you guys (media) could see what we've got in that changing room. It's incredible, it means a lot.

"As a group in that changing room, as a group of staff, we're very close."

'We don't want noise coming from within the organisation'

Wales must win their remaining three qualifiers, starting with Sunday's home match against Croatia, if they are to have a realistic chance of qualifying automatically for Euro 2024.

Page's side are fourth in Group D with three games left, three points behind World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in second.

With only the top two teams qualifying automatically, Wales must also hope leaders Turkey or Croatia drop points to boost their chances.

If they miss out on the top two, their only remaining route to next year's tournament in Germany would be the play-offs in March.

Before Wednesday's friendly against Gibraltar, FAW chief executive Mooney said the governing body will not make any “knee-jerk” decisions over Page's future, but added the team must keep winning games.

With regular captain Aaron Ramsey out injured, Ben Davies will captain the team for the remainder of the qualifying campaign.

Asked about Mooney's comments, Tottenham defender Davies said: "It's not helpful.

"We don't want noise coming from within the organisation. We hope that everybody is on the same page.

"It is disappointing to hear, but as far we are concerned it's not our focus.

"Our focus is the game against Croatia tomorrow. It [outside noise] has been swept under the rug as far as we are concerned and we are looking forward to the game."

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