ROBERT PAGE will remain Wales boss despite their Euro 2024 play-off failure.
The Dragons suffered a penalty shootout heartbreak to Poland on Tuesday night after Dan James’ decisive spot-kick was saved by Wojciech Szczesny.
Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney publicly stated Page’s position would be reviewed if automatic qualification was not secured.
But Page is under contract for two more years and received a vote of confidence yesterday that his job is safe for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
FAW president Steve Williams said: “The FAW can confirm Rob Page is their manager for the forthcoming campaign in accordance with his contract.
“Rob is the manager. His contract runs to the end of the World Cup and that is how we continue to work.”
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Despite the cruel Euro exit on spot-kicks in Cardiff which ended Welsh hopes of qualifying for Germany this summer, Page insists he is “absolutely” the right man to lead Wales forward.
SunSport understands there was no break clause in the manager’s contract to activate at the end of the Euro campaign.
Page, 49, is the only Welsh manager to lead his country to two major tournaments and he has the support of his squad.
Next up is a June 9 friendly in Slovakia before the start of Nations League ties in the autumn and then next year’s World Cup qualifiers.
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Page said: “I’ve got a great relationship with Dave Adams, the technical director of the FAW.
“We’ve had our issues in the past, haven’t we? It’s been well documented.
“But everything’s fine and great.
“The board, the chief exec, the president, they see the journey we’re on and what we’re trying to do. They appreciate it.
“In 12 months we’ve gone from the retirement of senior players to introducing younger players and being one kick away from qualification.”
Poland progressed without even registering a shot on target in 120 minutes – prompting criticism of Page’s tactics and substitutions.
But ex-Wales star midfielder Joe Allen, who won 74 caps and retired after the 2022 World Cup, says Page deserves the chance to try and lead the Dragons to the finals in USA, Canada and Mexico.
Allen, 34, said: “The two things you have to look for is, are the players supportive of the manager? That’s very evident.
“Does the future look bright and is the team improving and that is also evident.
“He deserves the chance to carry on and the chance to prove himself again.”
Liverpool forward Lewis Koumas, 18, Fulham’s 19-year-old attacker Luke Harris and Cardiff midfielder Rubin Colwill, 21, are viewed as the next generation of talent to come through.
Page added: “I know I’ve got a good group of players, great staff, and we’re going on the right path.
“There are younger players to be introduced so that’s my next aim.
“We haven’t got there this time but with the games in June, we can introduce younger players and build on what we have already got here. We’re going places.
“Jordan James will be another Ethan Ampadu and I’ve no doubt he’ll have around 50 caps by the time he is 23.
“Having gone through that experience will make them bigger and better in the future.
“We’re disappointed but we have learned lessons.”
But Wales will be counting the cost of missing out on a £10m-plus windfall.
The Dragons would have got a cash boost of almost £8million for just participating in Germany with sponsorship and commercial spin-offs to follow.
Now the spotlight will be on Wales’ latest financial results which are due with Companies House by March 31.
The failure to qualify will only increase the concerns at the Welsh FA over budget cuts following a series of cost-cutting measures in recent times.
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And the worrying state of Wales’ finances could explain the public backing of Page as the FAW would have had to stump up a compensation package to bring in a new boss.
Mooney, appointed in August 2021, has also made a string of financial promises to the grassroots game in Wales as well as pledging millions to the Welsh Premier.
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Philip Cadden
