Robert Page: Wales sack 'hard to take' as ex-manager discusses future
Nations League: Iceland vs. Wales
Location: Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik Date: Friday, October 11 Start Time: 19:45 BST
Where to Tune In: Catch the action on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, and BBC Sounds, along with live text updates available on the BBC Sport website and app.
Rob Page mentioned that it took him a considerable amount of time to accept his dismissal as the manager of the Wales national team.
The 50-year-old stepped down from his position as head coach of the national team in June after a disheartening 4-0 loss in a friendly match against Slovakia. This defeat came only three days after a frustrating goalless draw with Gibraltar.
That disappointing double-header during the summer intensified the pressure on Page, as his team had already been unable to qualify for Euro 2024 after losing to Poland in the playoff final on penalties back in March.
In the end, he faced the consequences, as just 12 days following the loss to Slovakia, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) declared that Page had been let go.
"When you're let go from a job, it's not something you want to happen; it's out of your hands," he mentioned during an interview on the BBC's Football Daily podcast.
"It was tough to accept. To be honest, it took me some time to process it."
Page's time as the manager of Wales was filled with both successes and challenges. Notably, he guided his team to the knockout stage of Euro 2020.
He led Wales to their first World Cup appearance since 1958. However, the Red Dragons managed to secure only one point in their group matches against the United States, Iran, and England in Qatar, ending up at the bottom of their group.
Remarkable performances during Euro qualifying against Croatia were overshadowed by consecutive defeats to Armenia and Turkey in the summer of 2023. Ultimately, the last three games of Page's tenure—against Poland, Gibraltar, and Slovakia—led the FAW to decide it was time for a change.
A significant moment during his tenure as manager arose when there were rumors that former Manchester United captain Roy Keane was being considered as a potential successor to Page.
FAW CEO Noel Mooney stated that the Welsh manager needs to continue securing victories in order to retain his position, a remark that vice-captain Ben Davies referred to as "not helpful."
The team members stood alongside the head coach at a pre-match press conference, clearly demonstrating their solidarity. Meanwhile, players came together as well; after an impressive 2-1 victory against Croatia, Davies and Connor Roberts made a "zip it" gesture, seemingly in response to Mooney's remarks.
"It felt like a chaotic situation; our main priority was to handle it and minimize the commotion," Page remarked regarding the conflicts with Mooney.
At that moment, the only things I could manage were the locker room and the athletes. I didn’t invite the staff to participate or push the players to express themselves. They did that on their own, and it was really heartwarming for me to witness and listen to.
"What mattered most to me was keeping my attention on what needed to be done, and that meant winning football matches."
When asked if he felt let down by his superiors back then, Page replied, "In football, nothing ever takes you by surprise."
As Page's tenure as Wales' manager progressed, tensions rose and the situation became more difficult. The Red Wall, the passionate supporters of the team, began to express their frustration over his remarks regarding the squad being in a "transition" phase.
"I felt frustrated because I had signed a four-year contract right before the World Cup, and I could see where the players were headed," Page reflected as he reminisced about that period.
"We were going through a period of change, and it seems I received a lot of harsh criticism on social media for mentioning it. But it's true—we are a country in the midst of transformation."
"In June, before I was let go, I aimed to introduce people like Lewis Koumas to the setting so they could see his potential, as he represents the future."
During this period of change, we were just one penalty kick away from securing our spot in our third major tournament in a row.
We all felt let down, and I think I was the most upset of all as we left the stadium after our penalty loss that night.
"I remained focused on the task at hand and felt good about our progress. I believed we were all on the same page about our direction, but once decisions are made, there's no turning back."
Although he pledged to back the current Wales manager Craig Bellamy in every possible way, Page is now concentrating on his own future in the sport.
While he appreciated his experience in international football, Page mentioned that he is open to returning to club management, having previously worked with Port Vale and Northampton Town.
"I'm excited about my upcoming challenge. I'm ready to explore new possibilities," he shared.
I have a passion for international football, but if the chance arises to return to domestic football and it’s a good match for everyone involved, I would definitely think about it.
"Global experiences, overseas, I've had a glimpse of it now."
"I really enjoy the challenges that come with international football, but there's something special that you miss – it's the everyday routine and the unique atmosphere we built while working together with Wales."
You can now watch the complete episode of Mark Chapman in conversation with Rob Page.
