Wales have sacked manager Rob Page after three-and-a-half years in charge.
Page, 49, led Wales to their first World Cup victory in 64 years but the price of their failure to qualify for Euro 2024 was a disappointment.
BBC Sport Wales commentators have reacted to the news.
Was it right to fire Paige?
Former Wales captain Ashley Williams:
“Time will tell if it’s the right decision. I think he’s unlucky. It’s a shame because he’s a great guy. All the players will be sad for him.”
“There were rumours going around that this might happen because he hadn’t yet produced any results.
“It came down to whether to let him play another season. Ultimately you have to qualify but maybe Wales have become a victim of their own success.”
“He took us to the World Cup and the Euros before that and it seemed like a given we’d get there but it wasn’t.
“I don’t think anybody is surprised, nobody is happy about the situation. Everyone at the FAW likes Rob Page and the players certainly like him.
I went from being able to qualify regularly to not being able to qualify, so maybe I got a little spoiled.”
Former Wales forward Gwennan Harries:
“I think Rob Paige has done a good job. With what he’s done with this team, I can’t say he hasn’t done a good job. But expectations are obviously very high now that we’ve had a taste of it.”
“Because of the Euros, it’s easier to qualify than it was before. There are more spots, higher expectations and more space, so I’m hopeful we’ll qualify.”
“We have talented players. Yes, we lost an elite, world-class player in Gareth Bale, but not many teams have players of that quality.
“Under Coach Rob, we sometimes didn’t have a different plan or the ability to adapt during games and I think that ultimately cost us.”
“I think it was the right decision given Wales’ play so far – their performances have been inconsistent.”
Former Wales striker Robert Earnshaw:
“It’s been a long time since the Wales manager was sacked and we’re proud of that. We’ve done pretty well.”
“I was a little shocked when I heard about it in terms of the timing. They endorsed him a few months ago after the playoff game, so the timing was a shock.”
“But I’m not surprised at all. It’s been up and down the last few years, especially last year. It hasn’t been a comfortable ride.”
“Robert Page has done a great job, but there have been a lot of ups and downs.
“To get the best out of your players, you have to choose the right manager.”
“Under coach Robert Page, that hasn’t been the case consistently.
“Hopefully we can get someone here as soon as possible and get them familiar with the behind-the-scenes work.”
Wales record goalscorer Helen Ward:
“I feel bad for Rob Page. He has a lot to be grateful for. He’s directed some great moments. It’s really unfortunate for him.”
“Wales need the support of their fans and I’m sure it played a part. We can’t just base it on the game in June because it was meaningless.”
“The reaction of the fans was really hard to ignore.
“The problem goes back to the World Cup. We didn’t perform well.”
“There were many moments in the last election campaign when it seemed like his time was over.”
Former Wales striker Iwan Roberts:
“The signs were there and to be honest I’m just surprised he’s been given the role for both friendlies this month.”
“The signs were there from the beginning. [FAW chief executive] Noel Mooney said before the Croatia match that he was looking at other options to replace Robert.
“They could have done it then when they missed out on the Euros against Poland. I’m surprised they did it after two friendlies. Why didn’t they give the new manager the opportunity to train with these players in those two friendlies?”
“Now we go into the Nations League with a new plan and a new attitude and our first game will be a very tough one against Turkey.”
Former Wales striker Ian Walsh:
“He’s done a fantastic job with Wales and we treat managers and staff badly sometimes. I look at social media a lot and he’s been criticised badly there. It’s really disrespectful and disgraceful.”
“He’s achieved what he has achieved. No other Welsh manager has achieved anything like that and I would be stunned if we can’t hold our heads up high and thank him for what he’s achieved.”
“He’s been cleared to play in the two friendlies but he’s had a lot of injuries and we don’t have any big Welsh stars in the squad at the moment.”
“Overall, I feel sorry for Rob but I hope he gets adequate compensation from the Football Association of Wales because it’s not a nice thing to be sacked and you get flak from all around and I think the Football Association of Wales have been very unprofessional in how they handled it.”
“The timing is weird. If the new manager had brought in somebody, we could have spent time together. But who’s coming now?”
Former Wales striker Nathan Blake:
“I thought the timing was a bit strange. I thought the team decided to keep him and I expected him to get at least one more appearance in the Nations League. It’s a surprise for me.”
“Obviously the FAW were concerned that fans were resentful of the manager. You can’t please everyone.”
“I understand the decision, but what Rob has achieved is something very special and I think he should be very proud of it.”
Who will be Page’s successor?
Ivan Roberts:
“I think the reason he’s at the top of the list at the moment is because Vincent Kompany didn’t take Craig Bellamy to Bayern Munich.
“He was the first person I turned to at Anderlecht and Burnley.
“I think Craig is the ideal person to hire. I think having Craig and Ossian Roberts working together would be an ideal partnership.”
“His football intelligence was always there to see, I’m talking from when he burst onto the scene at Norwich aged 17 or 18.
“I found Craig’s football intelligence to be just phenomenal.
“From what I’ve heard, he’s a fantastic coach and I think he’ll be a great appointment for the Football Association of Wales, I really do.”
“I don’t think he’s as outspoken and difficult as he was when he was playing. I think he’s calmed down a lot and I think he’ll do a great job.”
Ashley Williams:
“I don’t think Wales are in transition right now. They’re a new team.”
“We need someone with a bit more experience than Rob Page.
“There will be players coming in who the fans will have a bit more faith in.
“I don’t know where they’re going to go, but there are some good managers out there if you want an international role.”
Gwennan Harries:
“It would be a shame to miss out on someone like Steve Cooper. Names like Craig Bellamy and Ossian Roberts would come up but my only quibble is they’ve both been assistants for so long – they don’t have much experience as main managers and it’s a very different role.”
“Will the FAW go against what they normally do and move away from their traditional stance of appointing a Welsh manager?”
“Maybe now is the time to do that. You never know. FAW can’t bankrupt them financially.”
Robert Earnshaw:
“To be honest, I can imagine Craig Bellamy as Wales manager.
“I think he’ll do it. He’s very professional and he gets on well with the younger players.”
“Ossian Roberts was also my coach for a long time. He’s also very experienced and a very good coach.”
“Personally I would say Thierry Henry, he’s done a coaching course with the Football Association of Wales, he knows Dave Adams and he understands Welsh football.”
“His football brain is incredible. He’s going to raise the bar, he’s going to raise the level. Would he want that? I don’t know. But that’s what I think.”
Helen Ward:
“I haven’t seen the name in the frame. I think part of the problem is there aren’t any suitable candidates for the role.”
Nathan Blake:
“It doesn’t matter who it is, it doesn’t have to be from Wales, it could be someone from another planet as long as they have the right qualifications to lead the team to play the style that suits them best.”
“If they do that, we’re good enough to make the tournament.”
Captain’s Tribute
Wales captain Aaron Ramsey wrote:
“The journey from the Euros to leading Wales to the World Cup for the first time since 1958 has been one we can all be very proud of.
“I personally want to thank you for all you’ve done for me.
“It was a pleasure working with you, a gentleman and true family man. My team and I will be forever grateful for your guidance. We will treasure these past few years.”
