Wales captain Aaron Ramsey not consulted in manager search

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Wales captain Aaron Ramsey today claimed he had not been consulted by the Football Association of Wales over their search for a new manager.

The death of Gary Speed in November left Wales without an international boss, and the process of identifying a suitable successor is under way.

Ramsey, 21, is keen for Speed's former assistants Raymond Verheijen and Osian Roberts to stay on in the coaching set-up, with Verheijen having indicated he would like the chance to take over as manager.

Ramsey said he would also welcome the appointment of a senior figurehead, providing the current coaching staff are kept on, as Wales look to maintain the improvement they showed under Speed.

But the Arsenal midfielder feels that the FAW should have been in touch by now to seek his views on the way forward for the team.

Asked if they have been in contact, Ramsey told BBC Radio Five Live: "Disappointingly, no they haven't.

"I've spoken to some of the other players as well and they haven't been told anything."

Ramsey suggested that other countries would have conducted the search differently by involving senior players.

"Obviously in the circumstances I thought they would have contacted myself and a few other players to ask for our opinion," he said.

"We don't want to be taking a backwards step again and having a big change and players not wanting to turn up and play for their country.

"At the moment everybody wants to play.

"Everybody is reporting for international duty and enjoying themselves."

Dutchman Verheijen, who has helped coach Holland, Russia and South Korea, was brought into the Wales set-up shortly after Speed's appointment in December 2010 and had helped oversee a recent run of four wins in their last five internationals.

Ramsey has warned of the potential for Wales, who have climbed to 48th place in the FIFA rankings, to move in the wrong direction if the FAW make the wrong appointment.

His comments echo those of Gareth Bale from December, when the Tottenham and Wales winger said he hoped the FAW would "come to their senses and stick with what we've got".

"Gary brought in a lot of staff and we had a structure there which we all knew, what we had to do, and we just want as little change as possible," Ramsey said today.

"We had great results in the last few games.

"Everyone was playing with confidence and the style he and the staff have shown us we've adapted to well.

"We don't want to have a big change now and have to go through that process again."

Verheijen has expressed firm interest in taking charge and Ramsey would not want to see he and Roberts leave.

"Absolutely, I think that's key," Ramsey said.

"I've spoken to a few of the other players about it and they all feel like I do.

"We need to keep the staff we have now and I think what we've done so far has been really good and we can still build on it.

"So keeping the same people there is going to be key to our success I think.

"We don't want a new manager who is going to bring in a whole new staff which is going to bring their own styles and techniques."

He added that the appointment of a "figurehead" such as former Wales and Liverpool striker Ian Rush could be "a good option".

Ryan Giggs has been linked with the post on a part-time basis, although reports have claimed Manchester United may block that option.

Ramsey said: "I'm not sure about what his feelings are about it but to have somebody like that would be a great appointment."

PA