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Report: Chris Coleman steps down as Wales boss, takes over at Sunderland

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Sunderland is set to land a new manager in Chris Coleman, who has stepped down from his post at the helm of the Welsh national team in order to take over at the struggling Championship side, according to Stuart James of the Guardian.

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) announced Coleman's resignation on Friday, wishing him well after a six-year spell with the team.

"The FAW and Wales as a nation will be eternally grateful for the job he has done over the last six years as national team manager, from travelling the length and breadth of Wales outside of the media spotlight to talk to players and supporters, to guiding us to the semi-finals of the European Championships.

"We wish Chris the very best of luck for the future as he returns to club management, a desire for which he has always been honest and open about."

Coleman, 47, steps in to replace Simon Grayson at the Stadium of Light and has quite a task, as the Black Cats sit dead last out of 24 teams in the English second division. He has previously managed Fulham, Real Sociedad, Coventry City, and Athlitiki Enosi Larissa in Greece.

He also successfully guided Wales to Euro 2016 qualification, the team's first major international tournament appearance since 1958. However, he couldn't build on those successes in 2018 World Cup qualifying, as Wales was eliminated in the group stage of UEFA's road to Russia.

Sunderland is expected to announce the move in the coming days. Robbie Stockdale remains in charge on an interim basis for the team's upcoming tilt with Millwall before Coleman takes over for an away tilt to Aston Villa on Tuesday.

The Guardian adds that Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill, Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom, and former Rangers coach Ally McCoist were also candidates for the job, but Coleman was chosen because he "has the personality to make an instant impact."

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