Ian Rush interested in becoming the next manager of Wales

Posted Thursday, October 14, 2010 by theguardian.com

Ian Rush interested in becoming the next manager of Wales
Ian Rush is being regarded as a genuine contender for the Wales job.

Ian Rush is set to challenge Brian Flynn for the Wales manager's job after it emerged the former Liverpool striker was interested in the post and regarded as a genuine contender.

Rush would be a surprise choice given that his managerial experience is limited to the nine months he spent in charge of Chester City more than five years ago, but he remains one of the most famous players to represent his country and has close contacts within the Football Association of Wales.

The process of naming a successor to John Toshack will gather momentum tomorrow, when the FAW committee convene to draw up a timetable for the appointment. Wales, who have lost their opening three matches of their Euro 2012 qualification campaign, do not have another competitive fixture until England's visit in March, but the FAW is keen to resolve the managerial situation sooner rather than later. The vacancy will be advertised, although early indications point to a straight fight between Flynn and Rush.

Terry Venables, Chris Coleman and John Hartson, all of whom have been linked with the position, are understood to be down the pecking order and not under consideration. Flynn was seen as the frontrunner when he was appointed on a caretaker basis after Toshack's six-year reign ended last month but the two defeats he has presided over in five days, against Bulgaria and Switzerland, may have opened the door to Rush.

Although there is a school of thought that Flynn – who has been publicly backed by Gareth Bale and some other Wales players – should be given a chance in the position, Rush has the sort of profile that might appeal to some FAW members, in particular those who believe the manager also needs to be a figurehead. The 48-year-old remains Wales's all-time leading scorer, with 28 goals in 73 games, between 1980 and 1996, and is a national hero.

Yet his CV since he ended his playing career hardly compares with Flynn's managerial record. After an unsuccessful period managing Chester, Rush accepted the part-time role of elite performance director for the Welsh Football Trust in 2007, where he helps to develop the next generation of players. Earlier this year he was named as Liverpool's soccer schools ambassador and he has also assisted the club's commercial team in developing sponsorship opportunities.

Flynn, perhaps crucially, has the support of the Wales dressing room, despite the 4-1 defeat by Switzerland. "I hope Brian gets the job," Bale said. "He's got the players bubbling and I think it showed against Switzerland. Yes, the result was bad but I think it was a good performance, and on another night it could have gone the other way. He's done very well in a short space of time and, given time, I'm sure he can work wonders with us."