Leading candidate for Wales manager job rules himself out as statement issued

Osian Roberts has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant Wales manager's job.

The FAW are on the lookout for Rob Page's successor after he was sacked following Wales' failure to reach Euro 2024, combined with a dismal camp against Gibraltar and Slovakia earlier this summer.

Welsh football's governing body have already spoken to prospective candidates in relation to taking over as Wales head coach and have invited both Welsh and foreign managers with "a proven track record" at club and/or international level to apply.

READ MORE: Wales manager latest: FAW ramp up Thierry Henry interest as Craig Bellamy firmly in mix

READ MORE: Odds slashed on Thierry Henry to be next Wales manager as FAW announce what they want

And Roberts has proven himself on both accounts, having assisted Chris Coleman during Wales' epic Euro 2016 campaign and most recently having assisted Patrick Vieira with Crystal Palace in the Premier League before steering Italian side Como to promotion into Serie A alongside another Arsenal legend in Cesc Fabregas.

Indeed, the bookmakers had Roberts, 58, as one of the leading contenders, alongside Thierry Henry and Craig Bellamy, but he has now officially bowed out of the race, releasing a statement on his social media page.

"I would like to thank the Football Association of Wales for expressing an interest in approaching me regarding the role of Wales national team manager," Roberts wrote.

"As an incredibly proud Welshman I would love to become manager of Wales one day. Currently, however, I am on an incredible journey with Como 1907 having helped lead them to a historical promotion to Serie A.

"I am committed to this wonderful club and our exciting project until at least 2026 and am forever thankful for their support and faith in me.

"I wish the Welsh national team every success as it embarks on another exciting chapter, of which I have the most wonderful memories.

"To the Red Wall and all the Welsh fans with whom I have gone through so much, the tears and the joy, I would like to thank you genuinely for the support I have always had from you and especially in recent weeks. Diolch."