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Report: Wales players urge Chris Coleman to remain as manager

Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley

Senior figures in the Wales national team camp have apparently urged Chris Coleman to remain as manager following Ireland's extinguishing of the Dragons' World Cup qualification hopes on Monday.

Coleman's side had the majority of the ball and more chances in Cardiff, but purposeful defending from the visitor forged the foundations for a 1-0 victory that sends the Irish into a two-legged play-off for a 2018 World Cup berth.

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For Wales, a country that stormed into Euro 2016's semi-final, it was a sudden fall from grace that resulted in question marks around Coleman's future. The riches of club football may lure the former defender, and it's understood he's been reluctant to discuss new terms ahead of his contact's expiration next summer.

An exit wouldn't be welcomed by the players, however, who asked Coleman to stay in the job after the loss in Cardiff, according to BBC Sport Wales.

Chris Wathan of Wales Online corroborated that report, and understands that Gareth Bale and Ashley Williams were key squad members requesting that Coleman sticks around.

Sources told Sky Sports News HQ that discussions between the players and Coleman occurred at the Cardiff City Stadium in the aftermath of the defeat, and continued at the team hotel. It's believed they felt a need to air their support for the manager amid concerns that he'll leave the role he took in 2012.

Jonathan Ford, the chief executive of the Football Association of Wales, also wants Coleman to stay, and is prepared to tie him down to a contract that will allow him to oversee qualification efforts for Euro 2020.

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