Wales captain Ashley Williams has reportedly told Chris Coleman to stay on as manager after Wales’ 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.
The 32 year-old Everton defender, who was part of the Wales side which reached the semi-finals of the European Championships has urged the Welsh boss to carry on as manager after the 2018 World Cup campaign and is hoping Coleman will change his mind on quitting the national side.
Coleman first took charge of the reins following the tragic death of Gary Speed in 2012 and has been in charge for a total of five years now and guided Wales to the semi-finals of the European Championships, where they were beaten 2-0 by Portugal.
And according to a report from The Sun, Welsh captain Ashley Williams is keen for the former Fulham boss to perform a U-turn.
Coleman was planning to retire after the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign, however, Ashley Williams hopes to convince his manager to stay beyond 2018.
The former Swansea City player has expressed his desire for Coleman to stay. He said: “Inevitably, it’s his career and decision and he needs to do what he feels is best for him and his family. We understand how it is.
“We as players haven’t spoken about it but my opinion is we’re desperate and would love Chris to stay.”
Williams was also full of admiration for Welsh youngster Ethan Ampadu, who joined Premier League Champions this summer.
He went onto say: “I wasn’t going to retire until I saw Ethan Ampadu in Portugal. He’s something else.
“We play a back three and he plays the same position as me. I was watching him at the other end and I thought, ‘This kid is unbelievable’.
“He’s so young but if he carries on the sky is the limit for him. Definitely. Even I’m thinking, ‘Ok, if he progresses how he should then he will be a natural replacement for me.”
In terms of the current World Cup qualifying campaign, Wales have four games left and they’re all crucial if they want to book their place in Russia in 2018 - Wales’ remaining games include home tests against Austria and Republic of Ireland and trips to Moldova and Georgia.
(Featured image: Stiendy)