Stoke boss Mark Hughes wants Wales to keep Chris Coleman
By Zinny Boswell
Last Updated: 13/10/17 10:59am
Stoke manager Mark Hughes wants Chris Coleman to remain as Wales manager despite failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Wales fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to the Republic of Ireland on Monday night, meaning they failed to secure second place and a play-off spot in Group D.
Coleman, whose contract expires at the end of November, was in no rush to decide his future following Monday's game, saying he would "let the dust settle" before making any decision.
But former Wales manager Hughes was full of praise for the "fantastic job" Coleman has done "in difficult circumstances" since taking over at Wales in 2012 and was keen for 47-year-old to stay on in the role.
"I think everyone in Wales would (like him to stay on)," Hughes said. "He's done a fantastic job since taking over in difficult circumstances, and I think there's more to come from the group.
"They have a good number of young players ready to break through, so the group is becoming stronger, it's not as if the team is coming to the end of its era.
"When I was in charge, a number of experienced players were coming to retirement - I don't think that's the case with the group Chris has got.
"And maybe that will encourage him, and make the difference between whether he stays or goes."
During Wales' defeat to the Republic of Ireland, Joe Allen was forced to come off in the first half after sustaining a suspected concussion.
And Hughes has confirmed the midfielder did suffer a concussion and revealed he is "unlikely to be available" for Saturday's game against league leaders Manchester City.
"He's not great, unfortunately, we gave him a couple of days to stay at home. He came in yesterday, felt a lot better, but reality is he is unlikely to be available," said Hughes.
"It's clearly concussion, a thing you cant take any risks with. We have to follow the protocol, hopefully he will start showing some improvements with that.
"He found it difficult to remember the incident itself, so that obviously tells you a lot about the severity of it, so we are being very careful with it, and at the moment he isn't able to train."
