Toshack gets Macedonia chance

Former Wales boss John Toshack has been appointed head coach of the Republic of Macedonia national team.

Toshack, 62, has been out of work since September 2010, when he resigned from the Wales job following a 1-0 defeat to Montenegro in Euro 2012 qualifying.

He succeeds Mirsad Jonuz, who was sacked from the Macedonia job in June.

“I am so honoured that the FFM chose me as coach of the Macedonia national team,” Toshack told the Football Federation of Macedonia website.

“I hope that together we can achieve success at international level.”

Interim coach Boban Babunski will lead Macedonia for their friendly against Azerbaijan on Wednesday, with Toshack’s first match in charge to be a Euro 2012 qualifier against Russia on September 2.

FIFA’s 96th-ranked nation, Macedonia have managed just one win and one draw from six matches played in Euro 2012 qualifying and sit fifth in Group B.

They have been drawn with Scotland, Belgium, Croatia, Serbia and Wales in qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, meaning Toshack is set to lead Macedonia against his countrymen.

“It will be hard to play against my Wales but I can’t think how Welsh fans will react because I am a professional and will do my best to turn things around in Macedonia,” he said.

“It is a tough group but it’s also balanced.”