SOCCER EURO 2012 QUALIFYING:JOHN TOSHACK is set to confirm at a press conference tomorrow he will stand down as Wales manager after six years in the role.
The 61-year-old has informed the Football Association of Wales he has taken the national side as far as he can and that a new manager with fresh ideas is needed.
Whether Toshack will stay for the Euro 2012 qualifiers against Bulgaria in Cardiff on October 8th and Switzerland in Basle four days later is unclear, although he is understood to have expressed a willingness to stay while the FAW looks for a replacement.
Toshack had been keen for Ryan Giggs to be his successor. Giggs, however, is still an influential player at Manchester United.
Alex Ferguson, the United manager, said last season he was playing “some of his best football” and has recently suggested the 36-year-old could play for several more seasons.
The FAW may explore whether Giggs would consider a coaching role that would allow him to continue playing. United, however, have yet to hear from the FAW. Giggs, who retired from international football three years ago, has been taking his coaching badges.
Any involvement with his national team will also depend on the choice of manager. Names likely to feature on any shortlist include Chris Coleman, who is out of work, Dean Saunders, the Wrexham manager who is Toshack’s assistant, and Brian Flynn, who has been in charge of the under-21s.
Kenny Jackett, who won promotion with Millwall last season, could also come under consideration and John Hartson has put his name forward.
“There’s nobody that will be more committed and Welsh than I am,” said the former Wales striker. “If it was offered to me, then obviously I would seriously think about it.”
Meanwhile, Gerrard Houllier is poised to become the 25th manager in Aston Villa’s 126-year history when his appointment as Martin O’Neill’s successor is announced today.
Houllier will be only the second foreign coach to take charge of the midlands club after Jozef Venglos’ ill-fated spell two decades ago.
Houllier’s former Liverpool number two, Phil Thompson, is expected to follow him to Villa Park.
Liverpool have confirmed Dirk Kuyt will miss the next four weeks with a shoulder injury.
Wolves are optimistic summer signing Stephen Hunt will be finally able to make his debut in mid-October.
Hunt has been sidelined with a foot injury since making the move from Hull. But he has stepped up his rehabilitation programme in the past week and Wolves boss Mick McCarthy is hopeful he will be available after the next international break.
“We’ve got five games coming up and then we get another international break, said McCarthy. “If we get him back after that two-week break, and if he was fit to start, that would be fantastic.”
Arsene Wenger has received some mixed injury news with Samir Nasri recovering well from knee surgery, but Robin van Persie is set to be out of action until mid-October with an ankle injury.
