Stephen (@StephenJBaker) takes a look at the World Cup fall out for Rob Page’s coaching team.
Ch-ch-ch-ch-changes, as the great David Bowie once sang, are going on at the FAW. Kit Symons, Rob Page’s Assistant Manager, and Tony Strudwick, Head of Performance, have both moved on has part of the World Cup fall-out.
Before we go on, I’m sure everyone reading this, along with myself, would like to wish Kit and Tony all the best, and thank them for helping Cymru achieve all that we have the past few years.
Embed from Getty ImagesWhenever countries have a poor World Cup there are always resulting changes in the coaching team. Many times, it’s the manager that goes, but with Rob Page getting a long-term contract before the World Cup, that was never going to happen. So, it fell to Rob to make the changes; whether or not this was his choice is for another article. With the manager’s job being safe the next high-profile job is the Assistant Manager.
Embed from Getty ImagesKit Symonds has been a long-time servant for Cymru, getting his first of 36 caps in 1992. He then made a major impact for us while working with Chris Coleman. During Symonds’ first two spells (he left to manage Fulham 2015/16) he helped create the summer of our lives. And during his third time as Cymru’s Assistant Manager, alongside Rob Page, he was part of something that we could have only dreamt of … making the World Cup.
Embed from Getty ImagesBut, and this is a very big BUT, this also came with a run of poor performances and results. Yes, we sacrificed a couple of Nations League matches because of the Playoffs, but we ended 2022 with a record of:
Played 12
Won 2 (the playoffs)
Draw 3
Lost 7
Goals For 10
Against 19
Embed from Getty ImagesTaking the emotion out of those two wins, the past year has been very disappointing and at times we have been difficult to watch. A change was definitely needed, especially with a crucial Euro 2024 qualifying campaign imminent.
I totally understand why Rob Page brought Kit in after Albert Stuivenberg went back to Arsenal. Rob has known and played with Kit for many years and needed someone who he could trust and not just be a ‘yes man.’
I don’t want to say that Kit didn’t make an impact during this spell, but a change was needed. He will now go back to his day job being Chris Coleman’s Assistant at Atromitos in Greece.
Embed from Getty ImagesTony Strudwick, whose contract ran out after the World Cup, has also left. Tony was appointed by Ryan Giggs in 2018. We all know performances have been very poor so we cannot say this was a surprise. To be fair to Rob Page, wouldn’t you want to have one of your own appointees?
Performances up until 2022 have been great with many memorable matches, but they always comes a time when you (or the FAW) need to move on.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe time was right to part ways with both men. Remember their overall career with Cymru helping us get to 3 out of the last 4 tournaments, rather than focusing on the last 12 months.
Now the hard work of finding replacements for them starts. Rather obviously, I would call Osian Roberts and ask him what job he wanted. Would he want to be Rob’s Assistant? I’m not sure, but can you think of a better Technical Director?
Embed from Getty ImagesHe would definitely be an appointment that Y Wal Goch would get behind. Who better for our senior players to work under if they are to move on to coaching Cymru? Osian would also be able to help find a replacement for Kit, imagine the names in his phone book!