Brian Flynn is far from being the front-runner for the Wales job on a permanent basis, few caretaker managers ever are. But after being appointed interim manager yesterday for the next two Euro 2012 qualifiers, the former youth team coach indicated he would like to take the job on, and hinted at trying to coax out of international retirement some of the stars who quit the Wales set-up under his predecessor, John Toshack.
Ryan Giggs, Simon Davies, Carl Fletcher, Jason Koumas and Robbie Savage all pulled the plug on their Wales careers during the tenure of Toshack, who refused to recall Giggs despite the Manchester United winger admitting that he would consider playing for his country again.
When asked whether he would consider recalling Giggs for next month's qualifiers against Bulgaria and Switzerland, Flynn, who used to manage Wrexham and Swansea, said: "My telephone is always on, my door is always open, age is no barrier to me. Young or old.
"I remember when I was at Wrexham and we were second in the league and with 10 games to go I needed something a little bit special to happen and I signed a 38-year-old Jimmy Chase from Halifax Town in the Conference.
"He had been there, done it with Liverpool. He came and he played well and got us over the line. That was one of the best signings I ever made."
If the 54-year-old, who has impressed since taking charge of Wales' youth sides in 2004, is to get the job on a permanent basis he will have to deliver a marked improvement in the national side's performances in the next two games as high-profile names including Chris Coleman, Sven Goran Eriksson and Martin O'Neill have also been linked with the position.
It will be no mean feat following Wales's dismal defeat to Montenegro in their opening qualifier. The result that prompted Toshack's departure.
The Welsh will first take on Bulgaria in Cardiff next month before travelling to Basle for a tricky tie against Switzerland. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) will decide after those two qualifiers whether to give Flynn the job on a permanent basis.
The former Wales captain, who won 66 caps as a player, is determined to impress his employers over the next month. He said: "I'm proud and privileged to have been given this position. It's initially for two games and then there will be interviews for the position so I'm determined to get two good results to help me get the job full-time.
"I am very, very hungry to succeed to help Welsh football in the short-term, by qualifying for Euro 2012, and in the long-term. John [Toshack] set the ball rolling in terms of getting young people into the side. That plan will continue to work under me for the next two games.
"What we need to do is realise our potential and we have huge potential in the squad. We have to get them to perform and get the right results."
He hopes that his six-year spell in charge of the under-17, under-19 and under-21 sides will help his cause.
"I will have to impress the FAW that I am the right man. That will be done in many ways," said Flynn, who gained respect for guiding the under-21s to the Uefa Championship play-offs for two successive campaigns. "My record will stand me in good stead. I have worked here for six years so they know how I work and what my standards are.
"They know me inside out and I know everything about them too. It works both ways."
Flynn is convinced that Wales could have six points in their group by the time they face England in their fourth fixture in March. "We need to gain momentum from our next two games," he added.
"They are two games that we can lift spirits and they are games that I know, in my heart, we can win."
His current under-21 backroom staff of David Williams and Alan Curtis will assist him for the senior games, along with Paul Jones, who will be goalkeeping coach for the two qualifiers.
FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: "The FAW is very pleased that Brian has agreed to assist us with these two matches while we give consideration to the full-time position.
"I hope that the Wales fans will come and support him and the team in the match at Cardiff on 8 October."
Comments