Welsh coaching guru Osian Roberts will spend this summer watching the seeds he has planted across Europe come into full bloom. The man who shaped the coaching careers of Cesc Fabregas, Mikel Arteta, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry has proven he is no mere blackboard technician by guiding Italian club Como into Serie A.
Former Swansea City head coach Russell Martin expressed his gratitude and acknowledged he was not a “sexy appointment” after guiding Southampton to the Premier League with a precious 1-0 win over Leeds at Wembley. Adam Armstrong struck midway through the first half to haunt Leeds again with his 24th goal of the campaign and it proved enough to send Saints back to the top flight at the first time of asking.
Wales manager Rob Page rarely talks about club allegiances but there must be a fair chance he will be wearing white this weekend. Page often stresses the need for his players to be playing at the highest level, in the Premier League, in order for them to be accustomed to the quality required for international football.
Wales boss Rob Page intends to “give everything” to qualify for the World Cup and repay the faith of those backing him. The Football Association of Wales quickly announced it would be sticking by Page as manager after the heartbreaking failure to reach Euro 2024.
Wales youth internationals Mackenzie Bradbury and Ollie Bostock acknowledge their side’s game against Austria on Thursday is crucial if Wales are to qualify from group B in the U17 European Championship. The two players – who play for Wolves and West Brom, respectively – know there is much they can improve on from their 2-0 defeat against Denmark in Wales’ opening match of the tournament in Cyprus.
Wales boss Rhian Wilkinson has welcomed the “science” to understand why so many female footballers suffer anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries after losing Elise Hughes for the rest of the UEFA Euro 2025 qualifying campaign. Hughes was top Crystal Palace scorer with 16 goals in 21 games as the Eagles secured promotion to the Women’s Super League by winning the Championship title.
Sophie Ingle can help provide Emma Hayes with the perfect send off to her spell at Chelsea with a seventh Women’s Super League title this weekend. Wales captain Ingle’s team are back in control of the race heading into Hayes’ final game in charge.
Ethan Ampadu has insisted he has never lost faith that Leeds United would make it back to the Premier League this season. The Wales star played another key role in guiding Leeds to a powerful 4-0 victory over Norwich City on Thursday night at a pulsating Elland Road.
For 64 years, Terry Medwin was the last Wales player to score at a World Cup. Medwin, who has died at the age of 91, scored the winner in a 2-1 play-off victory over Hungary at the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. The goal set up an ultimately unsuccessful quarter-final against eventual champions Brazil – a contest decided by Pele’s first World Cup goal – but Medwin’s place in Welsh football history was secure.
Neil Gibson was full of praise for his Connah’s Quay Nomads teams after they ended The New Saints’ dream of the treble by winning the Welsh Cup Final, 2-1. That vision – which included going unbeaten in domestic matches in Wales – went up in smoke as Josh Williams produced a wonder goal to earn the Nomads their second JD Welsh Cup triumph.
Chelsea midfielder Sophie Ingle has stepped down as captain of Wales after nine years in the role. The 32-year-old, who has won 136 international caps, led her country in their first match under new manager Rhian Wilkinson, Friday’s 4-0 Euro 2025 qualifier win over Croatia.
Rhian Wilkinson spoke of her pride after watching Wales thrash Croatia 4-0 in her first match in charge – but has special praise for Jess Fishlock. Wales manager Wilkinson marked her opening chapter by writing an action-packed Euro 2025 qualifying campaign victory in style with Fishlock once again the main character..