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Toshack expected to announce resignation

John Toshack took charge of Wales in 2004 © Getty Images

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Wales manager John Toshack is expected to announce his resignation on Thursday afternoon.

Toshack's future has been the subject of intense speculation since Wales were beaten in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro last Friday. He is due to hold meetings with the Football Association of Wales on Thursday morning before speaking alongside the governing body's president Phil Pritchard and chief executive Jonathan Ford at a press conference.

Most attending will be expecting the former Real Madrid boss to announce he is standing down after almost six years in charge. It remains to be seen whether that means he will leave the post immediately or stay in charge for next month's qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, after which a successor will be found.

Some reports have suggested current Under-21 boss Brian Flynn, formerly manager of Wrexham and Swansea, could take over on a caretaker basis. Flynn is also a potential contender for the job full-time after impressing in his role with the country's youngsters.

Wales Under-21s failed to qualify for the European Championship play-offs by the narrowest of margins this week having reached that stage two years ago.

Others to have been linked with the job include former Wales internationals Chris Coleman, Mark Bowen, Ryan Giggs and John Hartson.

Toshack first took charge of Wales in 1994 but relinquished the post after just one game. He returned 10 years later and has since overseen huge changes in the national side. Several promising youngsters have emerged while a number of senior players such as Giggs, Gary Speed, Robbie Savage, Jason Koumas and Simon Davies have retired.

Critics have claimed the manner in which this change has occurred - not least an unsavoury row with Savage - has left a lot to be desired.

There was, though, genuine optimism last week as a team including Craig Bellamy and Gareth Bale - with Aaron Ramsey and Jack Collison waiting to return from injury - began the Euro qualifiers. That changed in the space of 90 minutes as Wales lost 1-0 in Podgorica and Toshack has since come in for considerable criticism.

If Toshack decides he has taken the team as far as he can, he would leave with a record of 21 wins from 53 games in his second spell.

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