Toshack quits as Wales manager

John Toshack yesterday resigned as Wales manager. The 61-year-old announced he was stepping down from the post he has held since 2004 with immediate effect.

Toshack’s position had been the subject of considerable scrutiny since Wales were beaten in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier in Montenegro last Friday.

Toshack said he hoped his decision to leave his post as Wales manager early will help keep alive their hopes of qualifying for Euro 2012.

“Wales are still very much in this group, and now the decision has been made hopefully they’ll be able to get some positive results in the next two games,” Toshack said.

“If the results do go against us, I think I would have preferred that to happen with me still in charge.”

The Football Association of Wales confirmed the decision had been reached by mutual agreement.

Toshack said he had been prepared to continue until after next month’s qualifiers against Switzerland and Bulgaria, when he revealed both parties had agreed to review the situation. However, it was felt in the best interests of the team that he should leave now.

Toshack said: “I thought after three matches of this group we would review everything. Even after the disappointment of the game in Montenegro that was still the way I felt.

“But we have come to the agreement that this might be better for everyone concerned.”