Hartson keen on Wales job

Former striker ready to apply for role

Last updated: 6th September 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Hartson keen on Wales job

Hartson: Eyes on Wales job

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Former Wales striker John Hartson has revealed he would be interested in taking over from John Toshack as Wales boss.

Toshack's future as Wales manager is shrouded in doubt with widespread reports suggesting he is poised to step down from the role.

Hartson who recently came through a battle with cancer, scored 14 goals for his country in 51 appearances between 1995 and 2005.

The former West Ham and Celtic ace has expressed an interest in replacing Toshack should he leave the job, despite having no managerial experience.

"I'd love the job. I am a proud Welshman, I've worked with the best, I've done all my badges," Hartson told talkSPORT.

"I don't think they will be thinking of me and I'm very busy at the minute in the media talking a good game but there's nobody that will be more committed and more Welsh than I am.

"I have played in Europe, I've played Champions League football, I'm record under-21 goalscorer, I scored 15 goals at the highest level for Wales. If it was offered to me then I would seriously, seriously think about it because there's nobody that's a bigger, prouder Welshman than myself.

Job of a lifetime

"It's the job of a lifetime - you'd be a fool to turn the national manager's job down.

"There may be one of two other candidates out there that come before me, I may have to wait my turn, maybe three or four years down the line I don't know but if you're asking me would I want the job absolutely.

"It's the job of a lifetime - you'd be a fool to turn the national manager's job down. You look at Mark Hughes when he took the job, he was 35, the same age as me.

"The only way you get experience in management is by going into a job, of course I'd be a candidate for the job, but it depends on how seriously they take me."