Chris Coleman: 2018 World Cup campaign will be my last as Wales boss

Chris Coleman has revealed that the 2018 World Cup campaign will be his last as Wales manager.

The 46-year-old, who led the Dragons to the semi-finals of this summer’s EURO 2016 Championships before falling short against Portugal in midweek, is contracted until the end of the next World Cup finals in Russia.

He admitted, “I am sure this will be my last campaign whether we qualify or not.

Coleman was appointed Wales boss back in January 2012 – Photo: Mark Leech / Offside.

“That will be six or seven years in the job, which is a long time. So I think this will be my last hit, at it so I will give it my best shot, but I would not consider going anywhere else. I want to see this through.

“There’s success in this team, I think, because they’re at a good age. But I’ll certainly give everything I’ve got in this next campaign. I’ll make sure they do.”

Wales begin their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign at home against Moldova on September 5, 2016.

Coleman, who succeeded the late Gary Speed as national team boss back in January 2012, has overseen a tremendous turnaround in Welsh fortunes on the international stage.

The Dragons suffered a 2-0 defeat to the hands of Portugal in the semi-finals of EURO 2016 on Wednesday night – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Just five months prior to his arrival, Wales had fallen to their lowest FIFA world ranking of 117th.

Fast forward to the present day; the Dragons will climb up to 11th in the latest world rankings following their EURO 2016 triumph – where they reached the semi-finals of a competition for the very first time – having qualified for their first major tournament in 58 years.

The former Fulham and Coventry City boss was rewarded for qualification with a new contract in May, which runs until after the 2018 tournament in Russia.