The Football Association of Wales has appointed Chris Coleman as the successor to Gary Speed.
In a subdued announcement, Coleman said it press conference that nobody expected to have.
“It’s probably the proudest moment of my career to lead my country. I’ve been given the opportunity because of circumstances nobody could foresee.”
“It’s bittersweet for me – I was friends with Gary for 30 years. This is one of the most difficult experiences of my life and it’s the most difficult press conference I’m ever going to do.”
Coleman went on to apologise for his subdued demeanour, “Excuse me if I’m not that excited, I am excited but I’m a little subdued because of the circumstances. It’s not going to be easy, it’ll be even more difficult under the circumstances.”
“When your country asks you to come along and take charge, it’s a calling and not something you want to turn down. I’m not doing it as a vehicle to go somewhere else. I’m doing it to make my country proud and I’m very much looking forward to it.”
The former Wales defender admitted that he had not spoken to the current coaching staff, including Raymond Verheijen, assistant manager under Gary Speed.
Coleman said he had however spoken to a small number of senior players but refused to be drawn on whether Aaron Ramsey would be captain under his management.
“I’d be a fool to come here and rip it up and start all over again,” said Coleman. “I’m not here to do that, but the tail can’t wag the dog. It’s got to be the other way around. I understand some of the comments made and I’m respectful of it.”
“Aaron Ramsey is captain of his country, he cares. I’ve had a brief conversation with him. I’ll have a longer one and with some of the other senior players. I’m not here to rip everything up but I’m my own man. If something needs to be changed, I’ll change it.”
When asked for his message to the fans, Coleman implored the Welsh public to continue their support and back the team.
“I’m not Gary, I never had a career like Gary. We were close friends but I’m a different personality. I’m not here to disrupt anything but to build on what he did. I need [the fans] to be on board.”
“I’m not here because of my ego. It’s the pinnacle of my career. I know what it’s like when the Welsh fans get behind the team, there’s nothing like it.”
The former Wales defender, 41, has held discussions with the FAW earlier this week.
The FAW have been very dignified in their task of finding a new manager since the tragic death of Speed in November.
But it’s understood they stepped up their efforts to attract Coleman since he resigned from his post as manager of Greek second division side, Larissa.
Coleman won 32 caps for Wales before his career was ended following a car accident at the age of 31.
Coleman took to coaching with Fulham, the club where he was a player, and took over as manager following the dismissal of Jean Tigana.
In his first full season in charge, Fulham finished ninth in the Premier League but he failed to build on his early success and was sacked in April 2007.
He had a brief spell in charge of Real Sociedad in the Spanish Segunda but after just seven months at the club he resigned and was appointed Coventry City boss.
He was saacked from the Sky Blues after they finished in 19th place in the Championship at the end of the 2009/10 season.
As a player, he played over 150 league games for Swamsea City in the Third and Fourth Divisions before joining Crystal Palace in 1991, to play in the old First Division.
Coleman was relegated with Palace in the Premier League’s first season in 1993, finishing below Oldham on goal difference. However, the Eagles won promotion back to the Premier League before Coleman moved on to Blackburn – who were league champions at the time – at the tail end of 1995.
Two years and only 28 league appearances later, Coleman shocked the footballing establishment by signing for Fulham, who were playing two leagues below Palace, with the generous funds of Chairman, Mohamed al-Fayed, paying a division record fee of over £2 million.
Coleman became captain of the club and was an important part of the team as Fulham climbed through the divisions towards the Premier League but his career was ended before he had the chance to play for the club in the top flight, following a serious car crash in January 2001.
