John Hartson keen on Wales job
John Hartson has revealed that he would be keen on becoming the Wales national team coach if John Toshack decides to leave the role.
It is understood that Toshack is ready to resign after Wales were beaten 1-0 by Montenegro — ranked as the 72nd best team in the world by FIFA — in their first UEFA 2012 European Football Championship qualifying match on Friday.
The Football Association of Wales is to hold a press conference in Cardiff later this week where Toshack’s future will be revealed, but he is said not to be under any pressure from his employers to quit the job.
However, former Wales and Celtic striker Hartson — who has no managerial experience — has said that he would seriously consider taking the job himself should the opportunity present itself.
Would 'seriously' consider post
He told BBC Radio 5 Live that: "I don't know how seriously the FAW would consider me. But if they were to offer me the job it is something I'd . . . take seriously. I've got all my [coaching] badges, I've worked with the best, I feel as if I've learnt a lot about the game and still have a long way to go and a lot to learn. But it's the national job, it's the Welsh job that will appeal to lots of people as well as myself."
Hartson added that he believed Toshack should have left after the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign. He said: “The 2010 campaign wasn't good enough and they [the FAW] should have got rid of him then and there and appointed a new manager with new ideas, fresh impetus, a new voice. The FAW have now got a decision to make.”
The 35-year-old Hartson played 51 times for Wales and scored 14 goals. As well as Celtic, he enjoyed spells at Luton Town, Arsenal, West Ham United, Wimbledon, Coventry City and West Bromwich Albion.