Wales boss Chris Coleman worked in Greece on Sir Alex Ferguson's advice

Wales boss Chris Coleman believes working in the Greek second division on Sir Alex Ferguson's advice was the best thing that ever happened to him as a manager.

The 46-year-old former defender spent the 2011-12 season at AE Larissa after spells with Fulham, Real Sociedad and Coventry before succeeding the late Gary Speed as Wales boss.

Coleman has now led his national team to an historic European Championship semi-final against Portugal on Wednesday and insists he could not have done so without that low point in his career.

He said: "There are a lot of good managers out of work because there are only so many jobs. If you get two jobs wrong, it's hard to get a third one.

"I got it wrong at Coventry. I should have done better. Then I was out of work for a year and went to the Greek second division. I went there on the advice of Sir Alex Ferguson.

"He said 'take the next job that comes up' and it was the best thing that ever happened to me. You find out a lot about yourself when you're out of a comfortable environment."

He added: "The next job was this one. I'm glad I did it and would do it again whenever my time is finished here. I would love to work abroad again because it made me better."

Coleman's predecessor - the former Leeds, Everton and Newcastle midfielder Speed - died in 2011 and both Coleman and captain Ashley Williams says the previous manager is still at the forefront of the squad's minds.

Coleman said: "It's hard to have a legacy in 10 games as a manager. His legacy is 85 caps for Wales and time as captain.

"He showed great promise as a young manager. He's a sporting icon so that's where our good feeling comes from. I don't need a game of football to remember Speed, I think about him every day. My friend who, if he was still here, could be sat where I am now, enjoying what I am, but that was taken away."

Williams said: "I was thinking about Speed on the plane here. I'm pretty sure he'd be proud of us. He's seen us grown up and now, with what we've achieved, he's always in our minds.

"When we achieve things we always think about him and hopefully he would be proud of us."