ROBERT PAGE has felt undermined by Wales chief executive Noel Mooney for over a year.
The Dragons boss led his side to Sunday’s superb 2-1 Euro 2024 win over Croatia — despite Mooney claiming he would review Page’s position if they failed to bag automatic qualification.
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Sources close to Page indicated tension between the pair dates back to when the 49-year-old signed a four-year deal last September before the World Cup.
SunSport revealed Mooney wanted a bigger name than Page in charge after June’s shock 4-2 loss to Armenia.
An emotional Page said after the Croatia win he has had no communication from his boss in FIVE weeks.
SunSport understands Mooney only wanted to hand Page, who has qualified Wales for two successive major tournaments, a two-year contract 13 months ago.
But he gave in, as Page’s men reached Qatar, amid growing pressure from stars Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.
Since then, cost-cutting measures have impacted on Wales — with players sharing rooms and spending on opposition analysis cut.
Fuming senior players such as Ben Davies and Harry Wilson backed the manager, while the pair also took a vocal swipe at Mooney for speaking out on Page’s future with ‘unhelpful’ comments.
Davies and Connor Roberts both made a ‘zip it’ gesture on the pitch following the win in Cardiff and it is understood that was aimed at Mooney, with several other players unhappy with his conduct.
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Some believe Mooney, who joined the FAW from Uefa in the summer of 2021, is using his Wales role to endorse himself at a time when Page’s squad and staff have never been more together.
Mooney worked at the FA of Ireland and was a fan of their appointment of ex-Italy boss Giovanni Trapattoni, whose negative tactics angered supporters.
Former manager Chris Coleman, who led Wales to the Euro 2016 semi- finals, said: “We’re not going to qualify every time. Rob knows the deal. Leave him alone.”
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