Planet Swans ArchivesWelsh bookmakers Jack Brown have given the strongest indication yet that John Toshack is to be named the new manager of Wales by closing all books relating to his appointment.
With no announcement expected until after the two qualifying games this week, Jack Brown have revealed that they have taken a few sizeable bets on Toshack being appointed as successor to Mark Hughes which they believe is usually a sign that the deal is done and it is just the formal announcement that is missing.
Talking to BBC Sport, Karl Williams, spokesman for Jack Brown said “We had a punter coming in wanting to bet £10,000 on Toshack getting the job,
“When a person looks to put that sort of money down, we have to assume he knows more than we do.
“We expect a decision sooner rather than later on this, with that sort of money it looks like it’s in the bag.”
The appointment of Toshack would cause a split in the ranks of Welsh football with Robbie Savage publicly claiming that he was not the right man for the job whilst striker John Hartson said it would be a positive step forward.
Toshack will always remain a legend in Swans fans eyes for being in charge of the Swans for their meteoric rise from the fourth to first division in the last 70s and early 80s. In an interview with JackArmy.net last year, Toshack stated that in terms of football management you never knew what was around the corner and I suspect at the time he probably felt that the chance to manage his country had probably passed him by.
However, most Welsh fans would agree that in terms of success and experience Toshack definitely holds the upper hand and it is very probably the right step forward for Wales..
But before that there is the little matter of the English on Saturday at Old Trafford!
