Wales sacking 'hard to take' as Page discusses future

Nations League: Iceland v Wales

Venue: Laugardalsvollur, Reykjavik Date: Friday, 11 October Kick-off: 19:45 BST

Coverage: Listen on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru and BBC Sounds & live text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app

Robert Page says it took him a long time to come to terms with being sacked as Wales manager.

The 50-year-old left his post as head coach of the national side in June following a 4-0 friendly defeat by Slovakia, which came just three days after an embarrassing 0-0 draw with Gibraltar.

That dismal summer double header further ramped up the pressure on Page whose side had already failed to qualify for Euro 2024 after suffering defeat by Poland on penalties in the play-off final in March.

He ultimately paid the price as, just 12 days after the defeat by Slovakia, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) announced Page had been sacked.

"When you get the sack, you don't want to leave, it's not your choice," he told the BBC's Football Daily podcast.

"It was a hard one to take. It took me a little while to come to terms with it if I'm honest."

There were many highs and lows during Page's tenure as Wales boss - with the former defender leading his country to the last 16 of Euro 2020.

He then guided Wales to a first World Cup since 1958, although the Red Dragons collected just one point from their group matches with the United States of America, Iran and England in Qatar to finish bottom of their pool.

Impressive results against Croatia in Euro qualifying came either side of back-to-back losses against Armenia and Turkey in the summer of 2023, with the final three matches of Page's reign - against Poland, Gibraltar and Slovakia - proving enough for the FAW to sanction change.

A notable flashpoint during his time as manager came amid reports Manchester United icon Roy Keane was being touted as a replacement for Page.

FAW chief executive Noel Mooney said the Welsh manager would have to keep winning games to keep his job, comments which vice-captain Ben Davies described as "unhelpful".

Page's staff joined Page at a pre-match press conference in a clear show of unity while players rallied around the head coach - with Davies and Connor Roberts making a "zip it" gesture in an apparent reference to Mooney's comments following a stunning 2-1 win over Croatia.

"It was a bit of a circus, trying to manage it and dampen down the noise was all we were focused on," Page said of the tensions with Mooney.

"All I could control at that time was the changing room and the players. I didn't ask the staff to come and join me, I didn't ask the players to speak out, they did that of their own accord which was really nice for me to see and hear.

"What was important for me is staying focused on the job in hand, and that's winning games of football."

Asked if he was disappointed with his bosses at the time, Page responded: "Nothing surprises you in football."

The latter stages of Page's time as Wales boss grew increasingly ugly, with the Red Wall becoming frustrated over the manager's comments about the team being in "transition".

"My frustration was, I had a four-year contract just before the World Cup, I could see where the lads were going," Page explained.

"We were in a transition, and I got dog's abuse for this on social media apparently, if I say the word transition one more time, but we are, we are a nation in transition.

"In June, before I got the sack, people like Lewis Koumas, I wanted to expose him to the environment to have a look at him because he is the future.

"We were a penalty kick away, while going through this transition, to qualifying for our third consecutive major tournament.

"We were all disappointed, nobody more so than me that night leaving the stadium when we lost on penalties.

"But I was still focused on the job in hand and I was quite pleased with the way we were going. I thought we were all aligned with where we were going, but decisions are made and that's it."

While he vowed to support current Wales boss Craig Bellamy in any way possible, Page's focus now lies on his own future in the game.

And while admitting he enjoyed his time on the international scene, Page says he would return to club football having previously managed at Port Vale and Northampton Town.

"I'm looking forward now to my next challenge. I'm quite open," he added.

"I loved international football, but if there's an opportunity to go back into the domestic game, and it's the right opportunity that fits for both parties, then I'd absolutely consider it.

"International, abroad, I would, I've had a taste of it now.

"International football, I love the challenges that it brings, but do you know what you miss... you miss the day in day out and creating that environment that we had with Wales."

The full episode of Mark Chapman meets: Rob Page is available now.