5 defining moments of Chris Coleman's Wales

#1 Accepting the impossible job

The late, great Gary Speed

Of course, in order to achieve all that he achieved, it was necessary for Chris Coleman to accept the job in the first place. This was probably the most difficult decision of his entire time with Wales. A former team-mate and close friend Gary Speed had passed away and the circumstances of his appointment could not have been worse. But somebody had to take it on, and he understood what the job and the situation meant.

His genuine and honest character was never more apparent than at the press conference that confirmed his appointment in January 2012. He showed the necessary strength that everyone had been looking for since Speed's untimely death, and while it hurt him more than most, he would be the person to lead a mourning footballing nation through this tragic time.

The first year was a difficult introduction to international management. There was no instruction manual for dealing with a squad of young players working through the grief of losing their previous manager, and Coleman eventually realised that he would need to do things his own way in order for Wales to finally move on from Gary Speed.

The changes had a positive effect on the group, and supporters across the country began to buy into his ambitions. Coleman worked hard to change public opinion and travelled across Wales to hold question and answer sessions at different pubs and clubs. The charm offensive worked, and as results and performances improved, so did the crowds and the feel-good factor that proved so decisive in his incredible time with Wales.