Friday 1 July 2016 07:53, UK
Chris Coleman says his one regret about Wales’ run to the Euro 2016 quarter-finals is that his father Paddy is not around to witness it.
The former Fulham manager has led Wales to their first major tournament for 58 years and they will face Belgium in the quarter-finals in Lille on Friday.
Dublin-born Coleman senior died two years ago after his son's first campaign in charge of Wales had ended miserably and there were doubts whether he would continue in the job.
"To be fair I probably helped to put him where he is now!" smiled Coleman ahead of Friday's last-eight meeting with Belgium in Lille.
"My dad was a huge football fan and unfortunately he witnessed the first campaign. He loved football and would have loved this. He would have been ecstatic.
"If you manage your country it is different to managing a club. Your family feel it much more. Not getting a result, they feel it. They do. It is a tough one.
"Equally when it is going great, they are on cloud nine - and at the moment they are loving it."
Excitement in Wales is building to fever pitch ahead of the clash with Belgium and Coleman could secure cult status if he can lead his team to a first ever international semi-final.
Mum Eileen will be watching from his hometown of Swansea and Coleman admits his entire family will be extremely nervous as Wales attempt to upset the odds against favourites Belgium.
"I have two sisters, they watch the games from behind a couch most of the time because they are so nervous," said Coleman.
"They keep texting me and when I'm on the phone to my mother she is telling me what it is like back home.
"I always call my wife, my mother and my children after the games. It has been the same here.
"The games are so big and there is so much excitement around them. It is an amazing feeling to be a part of it, and be in the position where I am obviously incredibly proud."
