Upon hearing the news that Osian Roberts has left the FAW and Welsh football, the natural reaction was one of shock. It was something I certainly didn’t see coming and is an event which I’ve considered a lot in the passing days.
When considering my thoughts and subsequent reaction, I concluded this is something which can’t be overstated enough. The tendency for any stories regarding Welsh football to become big news or talking points is often overstated as journalists, tweeters and bloggers alike are often desperate to talk and think about Welsh football. It probably the biggest thing to happen in Welsh football, since, well, the FAW overlooked Roberts himself to offer the top job in Welsh football to Ryan Giggs.
In response to this I have put together some of the thoughts that Ruth and I have had in the immediate days since the announcement was made by Roberts that he has gone to Moroccan football.
Ruth’s first thoughts in our communication when we heard the news was as succinct as it was cutting: Three short years – The demise of Welsh football.
She went on to comment:
“How have we gone from European semi-finalists to ‘losing’ our most fundamental asset in three short years? I think the answer is the lack of a clear plan, when Chris Coleman first hesitated about signing a contract extension. The FAW have been tempted by a big name manager, without thought of coaching experience, style or man-management acumen.”
I personally couldn’t agree more with Ruth’s initial comments. It is easy to say in hindsight, but after Wales’ main period of success from 2014 to 2016 followed on with our ‘oh so close’ run to the playoffs of the 2018 World Cup and the timing of when Coleman’s contract was running out, the FAW could perhaps have done more to plan ahead.
Could they have offered Coleman a new improved longer term contract earlier, or did they just think he would stay and turn away from any approaches. Perhaps they did have a succession plan, but if they had done this, I’d like to think Giggs wouldn’t have got the job.
Everyone is wondering what would’ve happened had Roberts got the job! Image: Andrew Dowling Photography
My issue with Giggs was, and remains, his lack of experience. I felt it was unnecessary to take a risk in terms of a management appointment, with what could potentially be our best ever generation of players. Where we begin to reap the rewards of Osian’s hard work.
Roberts coming on as the number two, and part of Giggs’ coaching staff, went a long way to ease the concerns I had about experience. Osian’s departure removes that safety net and leaves us with a potentially talented coaching squad, but a group which is now in my opinion has lost a cornerstone of that talent.
I know some of Giggs’ group have worked well in other roles, but it is very different when you’re in control and totally responsible as people like Stuivenberg now are.
Looking back at my comments on a succession plan, Ruth wrote:
“If you’d been the number two to our most successful team ever, as Roberts has, and the number one job opened up, you’d hope your bosses would see passed headlines and glitz, and on to succession, stability and building blocks. Not so?
“You’d put your head down, bite your tongue and see what the new man had to offer. Then, once you had his measure you’d either hook your proverbial horse to his wagon or, you’d get the hell out of Dodge.”
Once again, it’s hard to disagree with her. Osian has had a look around at this situation, taken a read on the man in the hot seat, and decided that it wasn’t for him.
This was perhaps referenced in Osian’s comments in his leaving statement posted on twitter. He said: “I felt genuinely I was ready for the ‘main job’ but the FAW in their wisdom believed differently.”
I also felt his reference to the two victory shields he led Wales to, coupled with the rise in the rankings since his involvement began, to a one time high of 8th in the World was a reminder as to what the FAW have had, and now lost.
Perhaps I’m looking for narrative where there isn’t any. Osian is a shrewd and clever man though. He wouldn’t come out and insult the FAW, but I do feel his astuteness has shown in parts of his twitter statement. These two are the key comments in my mind.
Ruth continues:
“Roberts is getting out. And I fear for what that means for Welsh football at every level. Take away the brains in any organization and things suffer. We are in such a precarious position now. And are on the process of resetting our football clock backwards. Post Euro ‘16, we had something of a golden egg and have frittered all that away.”
I’m not sure that we have ‘frittered all that away’, but its an understandable comment from Ruth given what she (and I) see as an enormous loss. It’s worth remembering that whilst Osian has gone his legacy are the players who are currently in the senior men’s squad who we are hoping are leading us to a bright future.
Where I do concur with her opinions is regarding the ‘brains of the operation’ leaving. There is though the upside of what Osian has done, and we are seeing that on the pitch. This is not a completely disastrous situation given what we (and he) have produced.
I feel, despite my personal opinion, as supporters we should continue to have faith in the management and the structures around the squad. There is a depth of talent in the squad I have not seen the likes of before and as such there is still a bright future at first team level as long as the correct decisions are made by Giggs and his team. The golden egg is still there, although admittedly it has got a scratch or two on it now.
My ultimate concern in this, is how and who is replacing Osian? Not only do we have a very large and important pair of shoes to fill, but we don’t have a wealth of options to choose from.
When you consider the short list for the Wales job that Giggs headed was: Giggs, Bellamy, Pulis (if reports were to be believed) and Roberts, it was not a list with a lot of options on it. That at a time when our footballing stock could not have been higher. It doesn’t inspire confidence.
Furthermore I have long held the opinion that for some of our roles in the younger age groups we often go for the most interested Welsh person. I may get criticism for this, but Rob Page is an example of this.
Aidy Boothroyd is also a case in point in the England set up. I hope so badly that we have learned that untried and untested isn’t proving the success the FAW hoped it would be. We simply can’t mess up this appointment. We need to take a long term view of this, spend money wisely and appoint someone with pedigree, foresight, a plan and an understanding of Welsh football and it’s structures.
Chris Coleman left a legacy, but did the FAW plan to maximise it? Image: EatSleep Media/Alex Feeney
I’m not suggesting this is what will happen, but Chris Coleman for example is out of a job, and ticks a lot of boxes mentioned above. This isn’t a role for someone like him though. We need experience in this spot, and someone with a proven track record in the runnings of a football set up from youth to seniors.
Is it easy or financially attainable to find and lure someone? Absolutely not. Is it important? Absolutely yes. I’d go so far as to say that it is the most important appointment the FAW have made since Gary Speed came in and changed the face of Welsh football.
Looking back with a slightly different hat on, and for all the concerns of the future, it is vital we also congratulate and positively reflect on the work Osian has done.
From his personal achievements on the pitch such as the Victory Shield wins, the first since 1949, the rise in the rankings and the obvious success that we reveled in in the summer 2016. We must also look at his wider impact and his role in the development of our coaching courses. The courses that have been enjoyed by some of the best players of recent times in Thierry Henry, Patrick Viera and Michael Ballack.
The promotion of the ‘Welsh Way’ and the women’s only coaching courses. The conveyor belt of the latest generation of players which we hope will lead us back to another Euros tournament and hopefully a World Cup is perhaps something he will be most proud of. When looking back at this in many more years to come, we may even hold him up to be one of the most important figures in the history of Welsh football.
Whilst it is understandable to be worried, concerned for the future and recognize there are plenty of questions to be answered, it is also important to remember him the next time we see Ethan Ampadu play a raking cross field pass. Dai Brooks produce a flurry of stepovers and a cut inside to shoot. A Harry Wilson freekick. Matty Smith fluently keeping possession. Dan James sprinting down the wing, supported by an overlapping Connor Roberts.
A lot of the progression, players being promoted to the seniors, coupled with the skills, end product and thrilling counter attacking football is a direct result of years worth of hard work by a man who has set up, coordinated and successfully managed scores of talented players and coaches.
He helped us live the summer of our lives, and may well be responsible for more when he’s not even in the building any more. For that, on behalf of Ruth and I, and the Red Wall, I’d like to say thank you Osian Roberts. You deserve to go down in Welsh footballing folklore.
Dai; August 2019