Robert Page: Wales sack ‘hard to take’ as ex-manager discusses future

The latter stages of Page’s time as Wales boss grew increasingly ugly, with the Red Wall becoming frustrated over the manager’s comments about the team being in “transition”.

“My frustration was, I had a four-year contract just before the World Cup, I could see where the lads were going,” Page explained.

“We were in a transition, and I got dog’s abuse for this on social media apparently, if I say the word transition one more time, but we are, we are a nation in transition.

“In June, before I got the sack, people like Lewis Koumas, I wanted to expose him to the environment to have a look at him because he is the future.

“We were a penalty kick away, while going through this transition, to qualifying for our third consecutive major tournament.

“We were all disappointed, nobody more so than me that night leaving the stadium when we lost on penalties.

“But I was still focused on the job in hand and I was quite pleased with the way we were going. I thought we were all aligned with where we were going, but decisions are made and that’s it.”

While he vowed to support current Wales boss Craig Bellamy in any way possible, Page’s focus now lies on his own future in the game.

And while admitting he enjoyed his time on the international scene, Page says he would return to club football having previously managed at Port Vale and Northampton Town.

“I’m looking forward now to my next challenge. I’m quite open,” he added.

“I loved international football, but if there’s an opportunity to go back into the domestic game, and it’s the right opportunity that fits for both parties, then I’d absolutely consider it.

“International, abroad, I would, I’ve had a taste of it now.

“International football, I love the challenges that it brings, but do you know what you miss… you miss the day in day out and creating that environment that we had with Wales.”

The full episode of Mark Chapman meets: Rob Page is available now.