John Toshack has suggested Chris Coleman should step down now as Wales manager.
Coleman is considering his position in the aftermath of Wales’ failure to qualify for the World Cup, following Monday night’s 1-0 defeat to the Republic of Ireland.
But Toshack – one of Coleman’s predecessors in the job – believes if the current boss was contemplating moving on after the finals in Russia, then he should go now rather than see out the remaining months of his contract until next summer.
Coleman’s current deal with the FAW runs until June 2018, but Toshack told Sky Sports, “Now, there is a barren year for the Welsh lads and there will be 12 months of just playing friendlies and then they will be starting the next year for the European Championship after the World Cup.
“So maybe if he was thinking of finishing after the World Cup it might just be that now is the right time to bring in a new man and give him that 12 months to prepare things.”
Coleman has previously claimed he would step down after the World Cup campaign and has expressed a desire to return to Europe where he has coached before in both Spain and Greece.
But in recent weeks he has also suggested he might be keen to be persuaded stay on and try to lead Wales back to another European Championships finals.
It is understood that a group of senior players, including injured talisman Gareth Bale, spoke to Coleman after the defeat at Cardiff City Stadium on Monday night and urged him to stay on.
The former Fulham manager was linked with a return to the Premier League earlier this year when both Hull City and Swansea City were seeking new appointments.
But Toshack – who managed Wales between 2004 and 2010 – has warned that doors of opportunity open and close quickly and added: “The sell by date on managers these days has changed an awful lot from years ago.” said Toshack
“I know that Chris had one or two interesting offers nine, twelve months ago but things change very quickly in football managing.”
The Republic of Ireland now go on to the World Cup play-offs ahead of Wales after finishing second in group D, behind Serbia who qualify as group winners.