FAW sets out criteria to succeed Page as Wales boss

Rob Page spent three and a half years as Wales manager before his sacking

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has outlined the key qualities it wants in a new Wales men's head coach as the search begins to replace Rob Page.

Welsh football's governing body says it is looking for a coach with a “proven track record” and who will be required to buy into the “Welsh way”.

But there is no insistence on the new candidate being Welsh, raising the possibility of a first non-Welsh head coach since Bobby Gould's disastrous tenure in the late 1990s.

The FAW is determined to cast its net far and wide for the correct appointment.

Though not formally advertising the post, the FAW has invited “expressions of interest” in the job.

It is understood the vacancy has already attracted interest from potential candidates, and legendary former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry is one of the names already under consideration.

Page was sacked last week after three and a half years in charge following Wales’ failure to qualify for Euro 2024.

Dave Adams, the FAW’s chief football officer and technical director, will lead the hunt, though it is clear the association will adopt a data-driven approach to finding the right candidate, with the FAW utilising its own centre for football research.

The FAW has taken the unusual step of publishing the criteria for its new boss on the organisation's website.

“The head coach position is integral to inspiring the Cymru players to ensure qualification for the 2026 Fifa World Cup and deliver against the FAW’s strategic objective to consistently qualify for major international tournaments,” it says.

“The FAW is looking for a coach with a proven track record of delivering success at club and/or international level.”

Any successful candidate will be expected to have a Uefa pro-licence.

The statement adds: “Through a growth mindset and strong leadership skills, they will need to demonstrate the capacity to be tactically flexible, make effective in-game decisions and demonstrate their ability to adapt their own philosophy.”

Wales’ next fixture is a Nations League game at home to Turkey on Friday, 6 September.

It is understood the FAW will not rush the appointment of Page's successor and the search could take several weeks.