Wales set to give Chris Coleman new contract through to 2018 World Cup

Posted Monday, May 23, 2016 by theguardian.com

Chris Coleman is understood to have agreed a two-year contract extension to lead Wales in the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.

Coleman, who succeeded the late Gary Speed in January 2012, has guided Wales to Euro 2016 – the country's first major finals since the 1958 World Cup. But his deal expires after the tournament, which starts on 10 June, and talks have been continuing for several months over new terms for the 45-year-old.

The Football Association of Wales has called a news conference on Monday when it is understood that Coleman's contract extension will be announced.

Coleman, who will be attending the news conference with the FAW's chief executive, Jonathan Ford, and its president, David Griffiths, had hoped his contract situation would be resolved before the European Championship.

But in March he suggested Welsh football needed to change behind the scenes, saying: "It is not just about my personal contract but what we see with the structure and whether we do the things we need to do to make sure it is not a one-off. Qualifying cannot be a one-off and has to be continuous."

Coleman has admitted he misses the day-to-day involvement of club management and the former Fulham and Coventry manager had been linked with Aston Villa and Swansea in recent months.

But the former defender, capped 32 times, has agreed to try to build on Wales' recent success and attempt to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Wales start their campaign at home to Moldova in September and also face Austria, Serbia, the Republic of Ireland and Georgia in Group D.

Coleman's squad head out to Portugal this week for a pre-Euro 2016 training camp in the Algarve.

But they will be without their key player Gareth Bale, who is preparing for Real Madrid's Champions League final with Atletico Madrid on Saturday, and the midfielder Joe Ledley, who remains doubtful for Euro 2016 after fracturing a leg in Crystal Palace's final Premier League game of the season.

Wales will play Sweden in a Stockholm friendly on 5 June before heading to France.

Their opening Euro 2016 group game is against Slovakia in Bordeaux on 11 June.

Wales then play England in Lens five days later before their final group match against Russia in Toulouse on 20 June.