Ian Rush appointed Wales manager following Coleman's shock departure

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All smiles: Welshman Ian Rush can't hide his delight at being named as Chris Coleman's successor.

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The head of the Welsh FA, Jonathan Ford has announced that the nation's all time top goal scorer Ian Rush has been instated into the Welsh senior team's recently vacant managerial position following Chris Coleman's surprise departure earlier this week.

The former Fulham and Coventry boss took over from the late Gary Speed as head coach of the senior team back in 2012 but any hopes of qualifying for Brazil 2014 were ended by Croatia. His resignation comes as he declares his intent to get back into club management. He thanked the FA and the people of Wales for the opportunity to manage his home nation, who he made 36 appearances for over a ten year period.



Ian Rush comes in with little managerial experience to his name but hopes that his reputation will inspire the players to great things. "The only professional experience I've had in football management was a very short stint with Chester but I consider myself to have excellent tactical awareness. I'm saying this as modestly as possible, because I do pride myself on my modesty, but a lot of the current squad will know that I was a good player in my day - both for Liverpool and Wales. I'm hoping that a lot of the lads will be inspired by someone like myself with top level experience to my name.

We've got some great players here, obviously Gareth [Bale] being the most obvious talent, but the whole squad is of a good level and if we perform to a high standard, there's no reason we can't be successful. Chris came close to qualification, and did a great job. But I'm aiming higher."

Rush's first test will be a friendly against Romania, who have recently appointed Welshman Mark Hughes as their manager. Rush will have to work his way around a serious injury to striker Sam Vokes, who is expected to be out for at least four months with problems with his cruciate ligaments.

Oooooh, Wales will be interesting...good luck mate

Giggs joins as Rush's right hand man as Symons concentrates on Fulham

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All traces removed: Kit Symons was brought in alongside Chris Coleman back in 2012...

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The Welsh FA have announced the mutual termination of assistant manager Kit Symons' contract following Ian Rush's appointment as manager. His attentions will now turn to Fulham, as the 2014/2015 season approaches us. The Championship side are aiming for promotion to England's top flight and Symons reveals that, following a lengthy discussion with Rush, he will be leaving the coaching staff to channel his efforts into pleasing fans of The Cottagers.

"Ian came in on Tuesday and asked me if I was 100% committed to the job. I told him I'd give as much time as I could to helping out the running of the team, but he wanted a 100% commitment and of course, as manager of another team, that isn't something I can do. We had a long talk about the aims of this Wales squad and I offered my advice to him, which he was grateful for. He seems to know what he's doing, so the fans shouldn't worry too much about his lack of experience. I'd like to thank everyone who has supported me during my time as assistant manager, and the nation will have my full support in future competitions. Good luck."

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Symons' successor is arguably much more well known in the footballing world - Ryan Giggs spent his entire career with Manchester United before being offered the assistant manager post at Old Trafford following the arrival of Louis van Gaal. Before the Dutchman joined, Giggs spent a short time as interim manager following the sacking of David Moyes last season. He also made 64 appearances for the Welsh national team.

Perhaps contradictory to the consensual termination of Symons' contract, Giggs will be allowed to continue in his role as van Gaal's second in command. Rush explains: "I may get called a hypocrite, but I believe Ryan will be able to commit himself more than Kit was able to. Manchester United is a huge club and as such has a large and devoted coaching team. With the players available to them, Ryan shouldn't have too much work to do at Old Trafford(!)"

Rush will soon have to name his team to face Romania in the upcoming friendly and will surely be looking to Giggs for some help.

Yay! An Adam story! Been waiting for one good luck, hope you can harness Bale and Ramsey!

Ian Rush has selected his 23 man squad to face Romania in one weeks' time. The friendly match will be held at Ion Oblemenco.

Youngsters Jake Cassidy and Lloyd Isgrove have been called up to the squad and could make their debuts, the news being met with pessimism by a lot of Welsh fans.

Sam Vokes will of course miss the game as he recovers from his serious injury, while Celtic fullback Adam Matthews injured himself in training following his call-up - Birmingham City's Neal Eardley was drafted in as a late replacement. The inclusion of Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey will surely cause Romania some problems.

An interesting team to start a story with but a nice start, good luck Adam

Good luck Adam, let's see Bale surpass Rush & Co. to become the best Welsh player of all time :P. Plus that Ledley-Allen-Ramsey midfield ;P

Good luck bud

Good luck mate!

Poor start for Rush as Wales sink to Romania defeat

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The introduction of Steaua Bucharesti's Alexandru Chipciu in the second half was the turning point in this game. He was nominated Man of the Match.

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Romania hosted Wales, who fielded debutants Karl Darlow and Jake Cassidy. Both nations had their first test under their new Welsh managers Ian Rush and Mark Hughes.

Romania XI vs Wales

(4-1-2-3)Tătăruşanu; Mățel, Luchin, Chiricheș, Latovlevici; Hoban; Sânmărtean, Nistor; Stoian, Maxim; Rusescu.

Substitutes: Pantilimon, Radu, Pintilii (C), Tucudean, Tănase, Nica, Chipciu, Brănescu, Dumitru, Papp, Gardoș, Torje.

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Wales XI vs Romania
(4-2-4)Darlow; Gunter, Chester, Williams (C), Davies; Allen, Ramsey; Bale, G. Williams, Church, Davies.

Substitutes: Hennessey, Taylor, J. Williams, Morison, Eardley, Wilson, Cassidy, Lynch, Isgrove, Collins, Myhill.

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Romania kicked off the match against Wales and were awarded a free-kick just outside the penalty area almost instantly as Joe Allen brought Sânmărtean to the ground with a slide tackle. The following effort from fullback Mățel was less than impressive but showed promising signs for Mark Hughes' nation early on.

The first half was relatively quiet but Gareth Bale came close after 37 minutes when Simon Church picked him out brilliantly on the right flank. The Real Madrid ace had plenty of space and cut into the penalty area skillfully but his shot was deflected into the side netting by Srdjan Luchin. That was to be the only real chance of this rather flat first half, but Romania generally looked the more threatening side.

The match remained uneventful until the introduction of Alexandru Chipciu in the 66th minute, as he replaced. Just four minutes later he made his mark on the game when he won the ball from Ashley Williams on the edge of the Welsh penalty area. He knocked the ball inside to Dan Nistor who picked out the run of Alexandru Maxim in the penalty area. The wide man hit the ball first time across goal, leaving the debutant goalkeeper Karl Darlow with no chance of reaching it.

An excellent piece of skill followed by a delightful pass ensured Hughes went home with a win against his home nation in his first game in charge of Romania. Gabriel Torje picked up the ball inside Wales' half and went on a fantastic run towards goal. When the chance looked dead on the edge of the area, the winger somehow played a ball past two Wales defenders to find the run of Chipciu who beat Darlow - again the ball was hit across goal into the far post. That was to be the end of the action as the referee blew for full time.

Ian Rush will be relieved that this match was only a friendly, but there is still a lot of work to be done - and quickly, as Wales face Israel in their opening European Championship Qualifier Group in just under a week.

Several Welsh players expressed their disappointment after the game including Darlow who made his debut in the defeat. He tweeted: "Big thanks to @Ian_Rush9 for handing me my first cap at senior level for Wales. It was an honour to play but I can't say I'm happy with our performances. Must improve!!!".

Jonathan Wilson, a reporter for footballing magazine FourFourTwo says the Welsh players must put the defeat to the back of their minds and focus on the next game against Israel.

No doubt Rush will want his side to improve, and what better time than in his first competitive game in charge. Join us on Tuesday for live coverage of the game on Sky Sports 1.

Unlucky! But don't you think a 4-2-4 is risky?

I'd go for this

GK
RB-CB-CB-LB
Ledley
Allen-Ramsey
Williams
Bale & your next best striker

@Pauker - I didn't use a 4-2-4 in my next match, you'll have to wait and see how I do

Major improvement for Rush's Wales as they storm to a win in opening Qualifier

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Bale shines as Man of the Match but Welsh team recover well from their 2-0 defeat to Romania.

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Jake Cassidy made his first start for Wales after making his debut from the bench last time out, while Karl Darlow sat on the bench - he was given his first cap against Romania by Rush, who completely revamped his tactic that lost them the last game.

Israel XI vs Wales

(4-2-3-1)Salman; Mori, Ben-Haim (C), Fideleff, Abelski; Biton, Golasa; Vermouth, Melikson, Haddad; Hemed.

Substitutes: Lesher, Kayal, Refaelov, Ben Basat, Sahar, Shechter, De Ridder.

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Wales XI vs Israel
(4-5-1)Hennessey; Gunter, Chester, A. Williams (C), Taylor; Ramsey, Ledley, Allen, Bale, Wilson; Cassidy.

Substitutes: Darlow, B. Davies, G. Williams, Morison, Eardley, Isgrove, C. Davies.

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The home team Israel got proceedings underway but Wales won the ball back straight away through Joe Ledley, who missed out in the last match. Israel threatened to break the silence after 20 minutes when Dan Mori crossed the ball in towards Tomar Hemed, who had somehow been allowed space to make a run in the box. Wales' poor defending only just went unpunished as the Almeria striker blasted the ball into the side netting from a tight angle.

The first goal of the Rush regime came just past the half hour mark - Joe Allen scoring his first ever international goal. The opener came after Allen's young Liverpool team-mate Harry Wilson passed the ball to Jake Cassidy of Wolves on the edge of the area. The 21-year-old found a ball through to Allen who had plenty of space. He took the ball a yard inside the area before taking a shot. Ofek Salman saved the midfielder's first attempt but was unable to recover in time to stop the second, and Allen slotted the ball into the open net to give Wales a 1-0 lead in Israel.

A counter attack started with a tackle by Neil Taylor gave Joe Ledley a chance to give his side a more comfortable lead after a well worked move involving Bale, Cassidy and Wilson. Wilson found the run of Ledley, who got beyond the defenders but couldn't find the finish he needed and put the ball just over the bar from 18 yards.

Wales controlled the play well and had another chance to extend their lead just before the half time break when Gareth Bale sidefooted a pass towards Allen, but he couldn't grab his second as a rather weak shot was tipped wide by Selman.

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Half time substitutions for Wales: Lloyd Isgrove replaced Harry Wilson, while Ben Davies came on for fullback Neil Taylor.

Half time substitution for Israel: Eden Ben Basat took to the field to replace Rudy Haddad.

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One of Wales' substitutions came good just before the hour mark when Ben Davies' corner found Joe Ledley in the box. The Crystal Palace midfielder nodded the ball down to the world's most expensive player Gareth Bale, who hit the ball on the half volley from 12 yards into the back of the net.

It was to be another Davies set piece that would cause Israel problems for the third and final goal of the game. The Tottenham Hotspur fullback whipped in a free-kick from out wide which found Jake Cassidy, who controlled the ball well before firing in his first goal for Wales in just his second game, high into the net.

Israel didn't manage to register a single shot on target during the match, but came close to pulling one goal back as Ben Basat hit the post late on. A solid performance from Wales ensured the three points and Ian Rush will be hoping to continue this form in the rest of the European Championship Qualifiers.

The Welsh side will be thankful to Cyprus, who defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-1 to leave Wales' closest rivals for the second place spot with 0 points from their first game.


Wales will next be in action in October, when they will face both Andorra and Belgium in the qualifying games.

Good luck with this! Wales have a decent squad to start out with

George Williams is doing really well for me at Fulham, even though his attributes are a little underwhelming. Hopefully he develops into a future star for you