Flynn appointed as Wales caretaker boss

Brian Flynn has been appointed as Wales caretaker manager for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifying matches against Bulgaria and Switzerland.

Flynn, who had been working as coach of the Wales youth teams, takes charge after previous boss John Toshack departed by mutual consent last week.

“The Football Association of Wales is pleased to announce that Mr Brian Flynn will act as caretaker manager to the Wales Senior Team for the forthcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers in October 2010,” a statement on the Welsh FA’s website confirmed on Monday.

Toshack left following Wales’ 1-0 defeat in Montenegro in their opening Euro 2012 qualifier and former Wrexham manager Flynn is keen to land the job on a permanent basis.

Millwall manager Kenny Jackett and Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs had been the early favourites for the post, but both have now been ruled out, leaving Flynn and former Fulham and Coventry boss Chris Coleman as the front runners.

Flynn said: “Naturally, as a very proud Welshman, this is a job that I have always wanted to do.

“I realise that initially it is only for two games, but I shall give it my all to try and achieve results and stake a claim for the job on a permanent basis.”

Flynn will be helped by youth team assistants Alan Curtis and David Williams for the two qualifiers.

The 54-year-old has played a role in the development of talented Welsh players like Tottenham’s Gareth Bale and Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey in recent years.

He won 66 caps for Wales between 1975 and 1984 and was a player when Wales reached the 1976 European Championship quarter-finals, losing over two legs to Yugoslavia.

Wales host Bulgaria at the Cardiff City Stadium on October 8 and travel to Basel to play Switzerland on October 12.

Flynn’s team need to take at least four points from the matches to have any chance of making the finals in Poland and Ukraine.