Former Sheffield United man facing crunch clash as Euro 2024 hopes hang by a thread

Rob Page, the former Sheffield United defender, insists he is determined to see out the remaining three years of his contract as Wales boss despite his position coming under renewed scrutiny ahead of tonight’s potentially make-or-break Euro 2024 qualifier in Latvia. Page signed a four-year deal after leading Wales to their first World Cup in 64 years last year.

But his side must beat bottom side Latvia - who are yet to register a point in Group D - to keep alive hopes of a top-two place and automatic qualification for next summer’s finals in Germany. Asked at his pre-match press conference whether he was under pressure from the Football Association of Wales executive to qualify, Page said: “I can’t let that affect me. I can’t think about that. I’ve got a job to do. I want to qualify for me, as a Welsh supporter myself. As the manager, I want to be in this job for the rest of my contract. I really enjoy working with this group of players.”

Pressed further on whether he was fighting for his job, Page replied: “We are in an industry where you need to win games of football. We are in a period of transition as well. I can’t influence what the board or people above do. All I can worry about is winning games of football and giving it my best shot. If I do that and it doesn’t work out for me, then at least I can walk away with my head held high.”

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Wales warmed up for their trip to Latvia with a goalless draw against South Korea on Thursday, while their hopes of making next year’s Euros were further boosted by Friday’s set of results in their qualifying section. “There is a generation of supporters who have seen Wales qualify for major tournaments,” Page added. “Losing players makes the job harder, but expectations say that we should be qualifying. It’s not as easy as that. We will continue to try and qualify for every tournament.”