Will Leighton James be next? http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18670374 John Hartson has revealed he is to become part of Wales manager Chris Coleman's backroom staff. The former Wales striker announced the appointment in his Scottish Sun column. Hartson wrote: "Chris simply asked me would you like to come and work for me? I immediately accepted, shook his hand and promised him I'd do anything possible to help make the Wales national team successful." The Football Association of Wales has yet to comment. Hartson's former clubs include for Celtic, Arsenal, West Ham United from a career in which he made 51 Wales appearances. He has also battled testicular cancer. Coleman became Wales manager in January 2012, following the death of predecessor Gary Speed in November 2011. Hartson also expressed an interest in becoming Wales boss before Coleman was appointed. Swansea-bred Hartson added: ""Everyone knows how much of a patriot I am. I speak our native language. "So as a proud Swansea boy - just like Chris incidentally - to now be involved with the team is immensely satisfying. "To be assisting Chris to effectively answer a call from my country is a fantastic privilege and honour for me." "It's also why I'll be giving up my media duties to ensure I perform to the best of my ability."
What? Put up against a wall and shot? While Hartson can be a pain sometimes with his Jack hat on, he has made some valuable comments as a neutral pundit so I have no problem with him joining Coleman's back up team. However, it would need hell to freeze over before that miserable little twerp James was brought into the fold.
This thread has just reminded me of what a shocking appointment Coleman was. Now Hartson who has no experience whatsoever is part of his back room staff. Brazil 2014....no chance.
Sorry BfB can't agree M8, To quote him.. "Everyone knows how much of a patriot I am. I speak our native language." "So as a proud Swansea boy - just like Chris incidentally - to now be involved with the team is immensely satisfying." He'll have the team singing Hymns & Arias next.
That's okay DJ, it's something there will be a variety of opinions on. While he is and always will be a Jack, he is still a very passionate Welshman whom we all got behind when he played for Wales. Okay there will be questions as to his qualifications for the role but even if he does no more than chivy them all up in the changing room that is still valuable. As for Coleman it is way too early to form a judgement - based on a waste of time and money trip to USA to play Mexico - at the behest of the FAW. Lets wait until we go through the first few WC qualifiers before making judgements. As for singing the song from the Glyneath gayboy, it would not go well if that particular dirge was sounded out at CCS.
I can take or leave Hartson... sometimes he talks sense, other times... not so much ... but Leighton James.... no thanks. As far as I'm concerned he can stick to being a pissed up Lollipop Man <iframe frameborder="0" width="480" height="389" src="http://www.dailymotion.com/embed/video/x59mhb_leighton-james-don-t-like-us_music"></iframe><br /><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x59mhb_leighton-james-don-t-like-us_music" target="_blank"></a> <i> <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/leighbailey" target="_blank"></a></i>
What makes it worse is the amount of progress we were making under Gary Speed. Before Speed i dont think any Welshman had a fraction of expectation from the team. But after some very good results and promising performances - most notably against England - expectations have raised and the pressure is now firmly on Coleman to keep it up. Personally i dont think hes right for the job as his style differs vastly from what Speed had us playing. But im always willing to let him prove me wrong.
Clearly managing an international team requires special abilities and in the case of Wales, motivational skills are quite high up on the skill list. Time will tell regarding Colemans tactical ability, but I like the noises both he and Hartson are making about being Welsh. Their first job is to convince the Welsh "superstars" to play for their country on a regular and committed basis. Playing for Wales is probably never going to glorious in terms of trophies, but committing to the cause is THE most glorious of endeavours. If these guys can drill this ethos into ALL Welsh footballers, they will have done our country proud.
