Coleman calls for a 'passionate Welshman' to replace him as Wales boss

  • Wales
Coleman is heading to Championship side Sunderland Credit: PA

Chris Coleman has called for a 'passionate Welshman' to replace him as Wales boss following his sudden departure on Friday night.

Breaking his silence for the first time since agreeing to join Championship side Sunderland, Coleman said his replacement should be Welsh.

In a video shown on the BBC Sport website, Coleman said, "It needs to be a passionate Welshman for me," when asked about his successor at the Newport christmas lights switch on Saturday evening.

Former Manchester United midfielder Ryan Giggs, West Brom manager Tony Pulis, and ex-Wales captain Craig Bellamy are the early frontrunners to take over from him.

Coleman was appointed Wales manager in January 2012 following the death of his great friend Gary Speed.

The former Fulham and Real Sociedad boss struggled at first and Wales' 6-1 World Cup qualifying defeat in Serbia led to some fans calling for his dismissal. But Coleman was to lead Wales to their first major tournament for 58 years before a last-four defeat against eventual winners Portugal in last summer's Euro's.

Coleman's first game in charge will be at Aston Villa on Tuesday.