No one could predict Wales would make the European Championship in France In the summer but they did and also they did so in style in a group that comprised the likes of Belgium, Isreal and Bosnia And Hezegovina.
One man behind this success is former Fulham coach and player (478 appearances for Fulham), Chris Patrick Coleman who took charge of the Welsh national after the death of Gary Speed in November 2011.
With the qualification for Euro in the bag, it means Wales will be participating for the first time in a major competition since 1958. It hasn't been an easy journey for Coleman who was sacked by Coventry City in 2010. Coleman's first taste of management was in Fulham, where he guided the West London club to ninth position in his first season (2004/2005). He later left for Real Zaragoza in Spanish second division after his sacking by Fulham. Things did not go well with him in Spain which made him end up at Coventry.
Before taking up the Welsh national team job, Coleman worked in the Greek second division (Larissa). Things took time to improve for Coleman at Wales as his first game ended in a draw with Andora. Wales under his guidance again lost to Serbia (6-1) which was worsened by the Macedonia game which he could not attend as he lost his passport a few days before the game . As a result of all these, Wales failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, finishing fifth in their group .
Subsequently , Coleman has taken Wales from 117 position in the FIFA World Ranking when he took over to it's present position of ninth .
Looking back on his time with the Welsh national team, Coleman had this to say : "It took me a lot of time as well to really man up and start doing things how I wanted to do it . I was doing things the way I thought Speedy (Gary Speed) wanted . I got burnt badly by that and slowly It has gone well since ". "A lot of people didn't want me, I think it is also the Swansea - Cardiff thing (the two Welsh clubs are bitter rivals), so a lot of people will never like me, I understand the geography behind it, as I have played for Swansea", he concluded .
On the issue of being the first manager to qualify Wales for a major tournament in 58 years, he said " I never played in a World Cup. I wasn't good enough . I never played in a European Championship. I wasn't good enough . So to have the opportunity and to have a crack at that, I think It would be difficult for me not to take it , if I am honest , but because there is so much at stake right now , I haven't even thought that far".
With the likes of Aaron Ramsey (Arsenal) , Ashley Williams (Swansea), Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) and Wayne Hennessy (Crystal Palace Goalkeeper) all in his plans for the Euro's, it is difficult to bet against the Welsh team not having a good showing .
Again Chris Coleman has shown how hardwork and dedication can take one far in football.
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