Ex-Wales manager reveals his pride at two stars reaching 50 caps in crunch Euros play-off
CHRIS COLEMAN has revealed his great pride at Ethan Ampadu and Dan James winning their 50th Wales cap against Finland tonight.
The ex-Dragons boss handed midfielder Ampadu, 23, his debut against France in a November 2017 friendly.
Ampadu was invited by Coleman as a 15-year-old prior to Euro 2016 to train with the likes of Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey and Ashley Williams.
And Coleman, who led Wales to the Euro 2016 semi-finals, also called up winger James, 26, for the first time ahead of a World Cup qualifier in Serbia in June 2017.
Coleman said: “Ethan is a lovely lad. He was very focused even at a young age.
“When he was 15 playing for the youth team we could see what was about to happen.
“The thing we weren’t sure about was if he’d be a central defender or midfielder.
“He’s leading Leeds from the back with Joe Rodon and they both look great together.
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“I included both Ethan and Dan, along with Joe and David Brooks into our training camps to see if they could cope with being around the senior players.
“They have all achieved what we thought they would.
“And it’s so pleasing to see them driving Wales forward and performing on the big stage. I wish them all the best of luck.”
Coleman, 53, managed Fulham, Coventry, Larissa, Sunderland, Hebei China Fortune and Atromitos at club level.