Kit Symons re-joins Wales backroom staff ahead of European Championship
FAW flags on display at the Cardiff City Stadium Wales v Denmark International Women's Friendly at the Cardiff City Stadium on the 13th April 2021. Lewis Mitchell/YCPD
Former Wales assistant manager Kit Symons will re-join the backroom staff ahead of this summer’s European Championship.
Symons, 50, who earned 36 caps for Wales during his playing career, was part of the coaching staff that led to qualification for Euro 2016, before taking up a role at Fulham.
After being dismissed as manager at Craven Cottage in 2015, Symons re-joined Wales as coach, but left following the resignation of Chris Coleman in November 2017.
Having also been assistant coach of Coleman’s at Sunderland and Hebei China Fortune, Symons returns to Wales’ coaching staff to work under Rob Page.
Page expressed his delight at the addition of Symonds to his backroom staff.
“We’ve got to get the players ready mentally and physically. They’re off the back of a very demanding season, so it’s about preparing them mentally and physically for a tough camp ahead of us.
“To do that, we need extra coaches. We’re a coach down so I’ve made a decision to bring Kit Symons back in.
“Kit’s got a wealth of experience, he’s been part of the 2016 success that they had with Chris (Coleman) and I think it’s a positive move for us, not only for the players and staff who know him, but for the coaches who have not worked with him, he just gives a different dynamic and first and foremost, he’s a good bloke.
“Getting him back in this environment with the experience he has of a tournament environment is definitely a positive.”
Due to his role at Fulham, Symons missed out on the full experience of Euro 2016, but Page insisted that his influence with Wales played a part in their success.
“He was part of it with Chris, but wasn’t part of it day-in and day-out, but for me, he had a big part to say in it and was a big part of the success they had.
“I’ve known Kit for years and I’ve played with Kit. He’s a very good coach, great with the players and the staff and to have that wealth of experience is invaluable.
“I met with him, had a great conversation with him and I feel it’s the right decision to bring him on board.”
(Featured Image: Lewis Mitchell)
