COLEMAN: MONEY BEHIND LARISSA DEPARTURE

New Wales boss Chris Coleman says he left Larissa because of the Greek club's financial problems.

Last Updated: 21/01/12 at 21:55 Post Comment

Chris Coleman: Left the Greek club earlier this month

Chris Coleman: Left the Greek club earlier this month

Chris Coleman says he left Larissa because of the Greek club's financial problems and not to take the Wales job.

Coleman, who departed the Superleague side earlier this month after seven months in charge before being unveiled as the new Wales manager on Thursday, also claimed that he was paid "hardly anything at all" after his first month in charge of Larissa.

Larissa have announced their intention to take legal action against the Football Association of Wales over the 41-year-old's appointment, stating that the former Fulham manager remained under contract with them until next June.

However, it is understood the FAW are confident that they and Coleman have been thorough and correct in all matters relating to his appointment, with Larissa's failure to pay Coleman and members of his staff due to their financial problems meaning they were in breach of his contract.

Coleman spoke about the matter on Absolute Radio on Saturday.

Asked if, had he still been in the Larissa post, he would have left his job if Wales came calling, Coleman said: "I tell you what, if the president of Larissa had done what he said he'd do, which was when you sign a contract you say 'right, I'm going to get paid at the end of the month, every month for one season, two seasons, whatever,' you expect that to be written in law because that's what you're used to in this country.

"However, in Greece, I was there six months and I got paid the first month, then after that hardly anything at all. So I was there seven months, but I felt guilty complaining because some of my players didn't get paid for 18 months."

He added: "Some of my staff didn't get paid for six to eight months, and I told them before Christmas 'I don't want to work in this situation, I've had enough, I want to leave'.

"But they didn't want me to leave because we were third in the league, we were doing very well, but I don't want to be involved in that situation, I didn't agree with it - it's not how I was brought up.

"So honestly, the reason for leaving Larissa was not to take the Welsh job. I told them way before Christmas that I wasn't happy.

"He asked me just after Christmas to do two games, to give him a bit more time to get another coach, which I did. We won both games.

"I mean, I was disappointed in the way it ended, unfortunately, but the people there were lovely, fantastic people, I had a real good set of players. It was just the president I had a big fall-out with."

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here has only been 3 players who made me hold my breath in dread when they picked the ball up anywhere near our penalty area...in their prime Scholes and Giggs... and always Drogba. Awesome player who on his day was the best striker in the world in my opinion.

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remember him scoring a 25-yarder, either the season just gone or the one before, against Bolton at the Reebok. I've never seen a ball hit that hard before in my entire life. You could almost feel the shockwave from his foot contacting it 40 yards away in the stands. Didier Droga. You might not have loved him, but you just had to be in awe of him.

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