Wales manager Rob Page has promised to “ignore the noise” amid reports that his job could be in jeopardy.
It was reported on Saturday morning – little more than 24 hours before Wales’ vital Euro 2024 qualifier against Croatia in Cardiff – that Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney had wanted former Sunderland and Ipswich manager and TV pundit Roy Keane to replace Page following June defeats to Armenia and Turkey.
Page signed a four-year deal in September 2022, but Mooney confirmed this week that the manager’s position would be reviewed next month if Wales did not qualify for Euro 2024 automatically.
Wales are currently fourth in Group D and need to win their final three games against Croatia, Armenia and Turkey to realistically secure a top-two place and avoid the play-offs in March.
Page responded to the speculation over his future at his pre-match press conference for the Croatia game, saying: “We’ve got to ignore all the noise. It is noise and that’s it, so we try to protect the players as much as we can.
“I have not spoken to the chief executive at all, so I could not tell you whether it is true or not (that he is to be replaced).
“All I have to focus on is, before the World Cup I signed a four-year deal and the long-term plan for me is to start introducing young players into the group.
“We are in a transition period and we have said this time and time again. We have lost big players like Joe Allen and Gareth Bale. Not just for what they bring us on the pitch, but also the value they add in the changing room.
“We’ve seen the talent we’ve got coming through. We’re developing these young players and it’s going to take time.
“I get the frustration. We want to win games of football but there’s got to be a bit of perspective. I’m doing what’s best for the FAW, not myself. By introducing these young players, it is better for Wales in the future.”
Three members of Page’s coaching staff – Alan Knill, Ian Mitchell and Tony Roberts – took the unusual step of attending the press conference at the back of the room in an apparent show of unity.
“It’s a great gesture from the staff, not something I was ready for but I really appreciate it,” said a visibly-emotional Page.
“We are really close and everyone is pushing in the right direction. I wish the supporters and you guys (the media) could see what we’ve got in that changing room. It’s incredible. The staff here means a lot.
“We’re in an industry where everyone wants to win games of football. I feel the frustration as well but the bigger picture is we have a plan to introduce younger players for the future.
“I can’t worry about the business side of it, cost-cutting and all that. I’ve got a job to do as a football coach to get them in the right place, physically and mentally, to win games of football.”
Mooney told BBC Wales on Wednesday that a “serious review” would take place on Page’s position after the Armenia and Turkey games next month when “everything will be settled”.
Wales captain Ben Davies was critical of Mooney’s comments, saying: “It’s not helpful. We don’t want noise coming from within the organisation. We hope that everybody is on the same page.
“It is disappointing to hear, but as far we are concerned it’s not our focus. Our focus is the game against Croatia.”
Asked specifically about Page, Davies said: “We’re very supportive of the manager. It’s professional every day and everyone wants to come on camp.
“Having a manager always behind you and giving you support breeds loyalty and he deserves our support now.
“We’re a tight-knit group and I think that part of the reason we’ve had the success we’ve had over the years is because we all stick together.”
Wales defender Chris Mepham is in contention to start against Croatia, despite being out for a month with a hamstring injury.
Mexico 1-0 Bolivia: Experimental El Tri boost Copa America preparations with narrow win
A youthful Mexico stepped up their Copa America preparations with a narrow 1-0 victory over Bolivia in Chicago.
Efrain Alvarez's second-half strike proved enough for El Tri, who fielded eight debutants at Soldier Field.
Two of those debutants went close early on; Ricardo Monreal heading against the bar and Ettson Ayon testing Bolivia goalkeeper Carlos Lampe, while Ramiro Vaca fired over for the visitors later in the half.
However, the hosts did find the breakthrough within two minutes of the restart, as Monreal squared for Alvarez to control and finish.
El Tri, who will face Ecuador, Jamaica and Venezuela in Group B at the Copa America, will play Uruguay and Brazil before the tournament begins on June 20.
Data Debrief: Mexico maintain Bolivia dominance
Mexico are now unbeaten in each of their last 10 meetings with Bolivia, winning nine and conceding just two goals during that span.
A 3-1 reverse at the 1997 Copa America represents El Tri's only defeat in this fixture.
Real Salt Lake v Austin FC: Mastroeni says fortune favours the brave
Pablo Mastroeni believes Real Salt Lake's mindset has been the key to their long unbeaten run, which they will look to extend to 13 matches when they host Austin FC on Saturday.
RSL made it 12 MLS games without defeat in dramatic circumstances on Wednesday, as Andres Gomez scored nine minutes into stoppage time in a 1-1 draw with the Seattle Sounders.
Salt Lake remained two points clear of LA Galaxy at the top of the Western Conference with what was their third straight comeback, following a 5-3 win over the Colorado Rapids and a 3-3 draw at FC Dallas – who had led by three goals.
"I think one of the things we pride ourselves on is being a team that shows a strong mindset," Mastroeni said this week.
"You can use it in all aspects of life, it's five per cent what happens to you and 95 per cent how you react.
"Unfortunately, in the last few games, we've found ourselves on the wrong side of the scoreline, and it's really easy to put your head down when things aren't going your way.
"There's this belief within the group that, regardless of what's happening, we're going to stay in it, we're going to keep our heads and not quit. Fortune favours the brave."
Austin are seven points behind RSL in fifth, though their momentum has stalled in recent weeks.
Since recording back-to-back wins over Houston Dynamo and Sporting Kansas City, Josh Wolff's team have played out a 1-1 draw with the San Jose Earthquakes and been beaten 2-0 by the Portland Timbers.
To make matters worse, that latter match saw forward Sebastian Driussi suffer an injury that is expected to keep him out for several weeks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Real Salt Lake – Andres Gomez
Gomez has contributed to at least one goal in five straight league matches, becoming the second Real Salt Lake player to do so this year after Cristian Arango (six).
This is the first time since 2016 (Joao Plata and Yura Movsisyan) that multiple RSL players have had a run of five or more games with a goal contribution in the same season.
Austin FC – Gyasi Zardes
Zardes' importance could be heightened after Driussi suffered a muscle injury during Austin's midweek loss.
He is yet to score in 16 MLS appearances this season, though only three have been starts.
MATCH PREDICTION – REAL SALT LAKE WIN
The visiting side won both meetings between Real Salt Lake and Austin last season, including a 2-1 win for the Verde at America First Field in March.
The six regular-season meetings between the sides have been split evenly, with each team winning three times.
However, RSL are favourites here, having gone unbeaten in 12 straight league games to equal the second-longest streak in their history.
Since the start of 2019, the Sounders are the only MLS team to record a longer run, going 13 unbeaten to start the 2021 campaign.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Real Salt Lake – 60.3%
Austin FC – 18.9%
Draw – 20.8%
New York City FC 5-1 San Jose Earthquakes: Martinez hat-trick maintains NYCFC winning streak
Alonso Martinez scored a hat-trick as New York City FC maintained their impressive MLS form with a 5-1 rout of San Jose Earthquakes.
Hannes Wolf and Santiago Rodriguez were also on target for Nick Cushing's side, who made it five wins on the bounce to move into third place in the Eastern Conference.
After a goalless first half at Yankee Stadium, the hosts broke through within five minutes of the restart through Wolf. However, the lead only lasted three minutes, with Amahl Pellegrino levelling the contest.
Rodriguez drove City back in front in the 80th minute before Martinez took centre stage late on. The Costa Rica international struck with five minutes remaining, while completing a quickfire treble with a further goals in stoppage time.
Data Debrief: Martinez makes franchise history
That was, indeed, a quickfire hat-trick from Martinez - in fact, it was the fastest registered by an NYCFC player in MLS history.
The hosts have now won five successive matches for the first time since 2019, while their ninth win of the season matches their tally for the whole of last term.
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