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04th Jul 2016

Welsh fans will be heartened by Chris Coleman’s response about the England job

In demand

Patrick McCarry

Fair play to the hard-working members of the English press who have remained at Euro 2016 while their country’s players head off on holiday.

Many members off the press waved goodbye to their families in early June and did not expect to be back on English soil until mid July.

While a large number have been recalled – to focus on transfer speculation, commenting on Raheem Sterling’s largesse and suggesting Glenn Hoddle as a replacement for Roy Hodgson – a doughty few have remained in France.

It was one such journalist who asked Wales boss Chris Coleman if he would ever contemplate managing England.

Coleman has led Wales to the semi finals of Euro 2016 and will hope to keep that run going against Portugal in Lyon. But when asked about potentially taking over as England boss, the in-demand Coleman told The Telegraph:

“It’s something that would never, ever enter my thinking.

“I’m a Welshman through and through. It would only ever be Wales.”

LENS, FRANCE - JUNE 16: Wales manager Chris Coleman reacts during the UEFA Euro 2016 Group B match between England and Wales at Stade Bollaert-Delelis on June 16, 2016 in Lens, France. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

Coleman is contracted with Wales until the 2018 World Cup but has admitted he would like another crack at club football. Modestly, he does not think that opportunity would arise with a top Premier League club. He said:

“If we’re being honest, Champions League football in the Premier League, you’re talking about the top, big, massive clubs and it’s not something I think I’d get linked with.

“So my best chance of managing Champions League football would be abroad and it’s an ambition of mine.”

Coleman’s Wales take on Portugal in the semi finals on Wednesday evening.

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