Chris Coleman confident of leaving Wales legacy if he exits the job
Chris Coleman says his time as Wales manager will never be tarnished if the friendly against Panama proves to be his final game.
Coleman takes charge of Wales for the 49th time on Tuesday night with talks over a new contract set to resume after the Cardiff clash with the surprise World Cup qualifiers.
The 47-year-old wants certain guarantees over his backroom staff before signing a new deal and extending a near-six-year reign which has included taking Wales to the semi-finals of Euro 2016.
"If I am going to walk away and shake hands I know we took it to a level that was unthinkable in the time we did it," Coleman said at his pre-match press conference.
"The experiences we have had and where we have taken it that will never be spoiled.
"But I'd be more proud in two or four years' time if the team qualified again.
"That's the acid test for what's been put in place.
"Speeds (Gary Speed) got the set-up going, it was more professionally run and he put good foundations in place.
"We've built on that and tried to take it forward.
"People talk about legacy, but that's not about me, John Toshack or Gary Speed.
"We're all passing through, the legacy is Wales and the jersey - and not one man.
"I played a part but I would be really proud if the teams are qualifying for tournaments with or without me."
Wales' failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia next summer meant that Coleman's future had to be addressed now.
Talks were put on hold until after the November friendlies against France and Panama, but the former Fulham and Real Sociedad boss expects them to resume "pretty quickly" after Tuesday.
"I think everybody would like it sorted, none of us gain anything by it dragging," Coleman said.
"But that will be up to the powers that be, it won't be my decision.
"They know my stance and how I see things, how I want to work and who I want to work with.
"But they may not see it that way, we may not be singing all from the same hymn sheet."