Toshack extends Wales contract

John Toshack has extended his contract as Wales manager for a further two years, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) announced on Wednesday.

Former Swansea and Real Madrid manager Toshack, who has been in charge since November 2004, was due to see his current deal expire early next season following the conclusion of the qualifying matches for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Toshack, 60 next month, will now be in charge of Wales until the end of qualifying for the 2012 European Championships, due to be held in Poland and Ukraine.

“The Football Association of Wales is delighted to announce John Toshack, national team coach, has accepted a two-year extension to his contract,” a spokesman said.

“Mr Toshack will continue his excellent work with the Wales senior international team until the end of the Euro 2012 campaign.”

Toshack, who as a striker was a member of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1970s, has been in charge of 40 Wales matches, winning 17 and drawing eight and is credited with developing a new-look team.

Wales, bidding to reach their first major tournament finals since the 1958 World Cup, are currently third in group four of the European qualifying zone for South Africa 2010, behind Germany and Russia.