John Hartson has been given his first job in coaching- with the Welsh national side.
The popular former Celtic striker quit playing in 2007 and has never hidden his wish to get involved in coaching despite enjoying a varied media career.
New Welsh boss Chris Coleman has added Hartson to his backroom staff for the World Cup qualifiers which will see Wales face up to Belgium, Croatia, Serbia, Scotland and Macedonia.
“Chris simply asked me: ‘Would you like to come and work for me?’” Hartson revealed. “I immediately accepted, shook his hand and promised him I’d do anything possible to help make the Wales national team successful.
“Everyone knows how much of a patriot I am. I speak our native language.
“So as a proud Swansea boy – just like Chris incidentally – to now be involved with the team is immensely satisfying.
“To be assisting Chris to effectively answer a call from my country is a fantastic privilege and honour for me.”
“It’s also why I’ll be giving up my media duties to ensure I perform to the best of my ability.”
As a player Hartson was involved in over £20m worth of transfers and had his most successful days at Celtic.
Martin O’Neill paid Coventry £6.5m for the striker in August 2001 despite already having Henrik Larsson and Chris Sutton at the club.
The Welshman went on to score over 100 goals for Celtic including the strike against Hearts that clinched the SPL title in Gordon Strachan’s first season in charge.
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All the best bbj
I love big John, think he is the bees knees, wish him all the very best and who knows!!!!
good luck to
Good luck to big John,after all he’s been through the big man deserves it.Who knows if he makes a good fist of it…which im sure he will…we might see him back a paradise in some capacity.