View source for Chris Coleman (footballer)

{{Short description|Welsh footballer and manager (born 1970)}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Chris Coleman<br><small>{{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|size=100%}}</small>
| image = AUT vs. WAL 2016-10-06 (097).jpg
| caption = Coleman as manager of [[Wales national football team|Wales]] in 2016
| fullname = Christopher Patrick Coleman<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/l/l7366.html |title=Coleman: Christopher Patrick Coleman: Manager |publisher=BDFutbol |access-date=30 December 2017}}</ref>
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1970|6|10|df=y}}<ref name="Hugman2001-02">{{cite book | editor-first= Barry J. | editor-last= Hugman | title = The 2001–2002 Official PFA Footballers Factfile | year = 2001 | publisher = AFS | location = London | isbn = 978-0-946531-34-9 | page = 65}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Swansea]], Wales
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=2}}<ref name="Hugman2001-02"/>
| position = [[Centre-back]]
| currentclub = [[AEL Limassol]] (manager)
| youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–1986
| youthclubs1 = [[Manchester City F.C. Reserves and Academy|Manchester City]]
| years1 = 1986–1987
| clubs1 = [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]]
| caps1 = 0
| goals1 = 0
| years2 = 1987–1991
| clubs2 = [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]
| caps2 = 160
| goals2 = 2
| years3 = 1991–1995
| clubs3 = [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]
| caps3 = 154
| goals3 = 13
| years4 = 1995–1997
| clubs4 = [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]
| caps4 = 28
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 1997–2002
| clubs5 = [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
| caps5 = 136
| goals5 = 8
| totalcaps = 478
| totalgoals = 23
| nationalyears1 = 1992–2002
| nationalteam1 = [[Wales national football team|Wales]]
| nationalcaps1 = 32
| nationalgoals1 = 4
| manageryears1 = 2003–2007
| managerclubs1 = [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
| manageryears2 = 2007–2008
| managerclubs2 = [[Real Sociedad]]
| manageryears3 = 2008–2010
| managerclubs3 = [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
| manageryears4 = 2011–2012
| managerclubs4 = [[Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C.|AEL]]
| manageryears5 = 2012–2017
| managerclubs5 = [[Wales national football team|Wales]]
| manageryears6 = 2017–2018
| managerclubs6 = [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
| manageryears7 = 2018–2019
| managerclubs7 = [[Hebei China Fortune F.C.|Hebei China Fortune]]
| manageryears8 = 2022–2023
| managerclubs8 = [[Atromitos F.C.|Atromitos]]
| manageryears9 = 2024–
| managerclubs9 = [[AEL Limassol]]
| medaltemplates = {{MedalSport|Men's [[association football|football]]}}
{{medalCountry|{{fb|WAL}} <small>(as manager)</small>}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[UEFA European Championship]]}}
{{medalBronze|[[2016 UEFA European Championship|2016]]|}}
}}
'''Christopher Patrick Coleman''' {{post nominals|country=GBR|OBE}} (born 10 June 1970) is a Welsh professional [[Association football|football]] coach and former [[Football player|player]] who is the manager of [[Cypriot First Division]] club [[AEL Limassol]].

As a player, Coleman usually played in [[Defender (association football)|defence]], while also occasionally appearing as a forward. He began his career at [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]], leaving as a teenager to make his debut for hometown team [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]] in 1987. In 1991, he joined [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]], whom he represented in the [[Premier League]]. He spent a year-and-a-half at league champions [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] before signing for [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]] in 1997, helping the team to two promotions from the third tier to the top flight. He won 32 [[Caps (sport)|caps]] playing for [[Wales national football team|Wales]]. Coleman's playing career ended at the age of 32, when his leg was broken in a car crash.
[[File:Welsh Government video of Chris Coleman at St David Awards 2016.webm|thumb|270px|Coleman at the [[St David Awards]] in 2016]]

Following this, he started his coaching career at Fulham. In his first full season as manager, he guided the club to ninth place in the [[2003–04 Premier League]]. After leaving Fulham, Coleman was appointed manager of [[Real Sociedad]], where he resigned in January 2008 due to differences with the incoming president. He returned to England to manage [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], but was dismissed in May 2010 following a poor run of results. Coleman then managed Greek side [[Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C.|AEL]] for the first half of the 2011–12 season before resigning due to financial troubles at the club. In 2012, he took over as [[Wales national football team|Wales national team]] manager after the death of [[Gary Speed]], and led Wales to [[UEFA Euro 2016]], their first major tournament since the [[1958 FIFA World Cup]], where they made the semi-finals.

==Early life==
Coleman was born in [[Swansea]].<ref name="Hugman2001-02"/> His Irish father was from [[Dublin]].<ref name="auto">https://web.archive.org/web/20170318084605/http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/39298989</ref>

Coleman was educated at St Joseph's Roman Catholic Primary School and [[Bishop Vaughan Catholic School]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Chris Coleman offered freedom of home city Swansea after Wales' Euro 2016 heroics|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-coleman-offered-freedom-home-11630262|publisher=[[WalesOnline]]|date=18 July 2016}}</ref> Coleman has been nicknamed "Cookie" since childhood, as friends likened his eating habits to the [[Cookie Monster]] from ''[[Sesame Street]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Welton |first1=Blake |title=WATCH: Chris Coleman calls for a united Wales during North Wales visit |url=https://www.dailypost.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/watch-chris-coleman-calls-united-8173684 |access-date=24 February 2021 |work=Daily Post |date=25 November 2014 |quote=The Wales manager also shed light on the origins of "Cookie", the nickname from his playing days, revealing it was from popular Children's TV show 'Sesame Street'.  With a wry smile Chris Coleman said: "I was quite a big young boy and my friends called me Cookie Monster as I was forever eating biscuits and chocolate bars and that's where it stuck."}}</ref>

==Playing career==
===Club===
====Swansea City====
The first professional team Coleman was contracted to was [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]], aged 16, although he later left them, citing homesickness as the major reason.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/mar/16/newsstory.sport9|title=Coleman in frame for City job|author=Taylor, Daniel|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=16 March 2007|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref> He then joined his hometown club [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]].<ref>{{cite news|first=David|last=Dulin|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/league_of_wales/7750489.stm|title=Coleman misses Vetch Field derbies|work=BBC Sport|date=27 November 2008|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref>

He made his first professional appearance for them aged 17, in the autumn of 1987. He made nearly 200 appearances for the south Wales club and helped win the [[Welsh Cup]] in 1989 and 1991.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=102 |title=Swansea City 5–0 Kidderminster Harriers |publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive |access-date=10 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140416180806/http://wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=102 |archive-date=16 April 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=104 |title=Swansea City 2–0 Wrexham |publisher=Welsh Football Data Archive |access-date=10 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330191009/http://www.wfda.co.uk/welshcup_final_detail.php?id=104 |archive-date=30 March 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

====Crystal Palace====
After spending four years with Swansea, Coleman was signed by [[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]] in 1991 for a transfer fee set by a Football League tribunal at around £270,000, plus a percentage of any future sale. After making 143 appearances, scoring 16 goals in that period – a 1 in 9 record explained by the fact that manager [[Steve Coppell]] often used Coleman as a makeshift centre forward. Palace finished 10th in Coleman's first season at [[Selhurst Park]], but they were relegated from the new [[FA Premier League]] in his second season (although they did reach the semi-finals of the League Cup). They won promotion as Division One champions at the first attempt, but went straight back down again despite reaching the semi-finals of both cups that season. Coleman was sold to [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], the defending league champions, for £2.8 million in December 1995. While at Palace, he was capped for Wales at senior level for the first time.

In 2005, Palace supporters voted Coleman into their [[Crystal Palace F.C.#Crystal Palace "Centenary XI"|Centenary XI]].

====Blackburn Rovers====
Coleman joined [[Premier League]] champions [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]] for a fee of £2.8&nbsp;million. Blackburn did not retain the Premier League title they had won in [[1994–95 Premier League|1995]], and finished seventh, just missing out on a [[UEFA Europa League|UEFA Cup]] place. Coleman made 28 league appearances over his season-and-a-half at the club, and when he found himself out of the starting line-up too often (not helped by a persistent [[Achilles' tendon|Achilles]] injury), he took the gamble to further his career by dropping two divisions to join [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].

====Fulham====
Fulham, at the time in the [[Football League Second Division|third tier]], were financed by wealthy businessman [[Mohamed Al-Fayed]], and were able to spend a record transfer fee for the division and club, of £2.1&nbsp;million for Coleman in late 1997.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coleman's face fits Keegan's bill|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/1999/jan/21/newsstory.sport4|access-date=18 November 2017|work=The Guardian|date=21 January 1999}}</ref> He quickly became club [[captain (association football)|captain]], and led Fulham to promotion under manager [[Kevin Keegan]] in [[1998–99 in English football|1998–99]] to the [[Football League First Division|First Division]].

He remained captain and a regular in the team under new manager [[Jean Tigana]] in the [[2000–01 in English football|2000–01 season]] as Fulham made a successful start to the campaign. However, Coleman's career was effectively ended midway through the season, after he broke his leg in a car crash near [[Bletchingley]] in Surrey on 2 January 2001, just days before an [[FA Cup]] tie against [[Manchester United F.C.|Manchester United]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harding|first1=Thomas|title=Fulham captain Coleman shatters leg in car crash|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1313073/Fulham-captain-Coleman-shatters-leg-in-car-crash.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1313073/Fulham-captain-Coleman-shatters-leg-in-car-crash.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=18 November 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=4 January 2001}}{{cbignore}}</ref> He never recovered from this injury despite playing a reserve fixture in March 2002, a game that only served as an indication that he would never again play at the highest level of English football. He announced his retirement as a player in October 2002, but stayed at the [[West London (sub region)|West London]] club as a member of the coaching staff.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coleman retires after losing injury battle|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/coleman-retires-after-losing-injury-1975491|access-date=18 November 2017|publisher=Wales Online|date=3 October 2002}}</ref>

===International===
Coleman was [[Cap (sport)|capped]] by Wales at school, youth, [[Wales national under-21 football team|under-21]] and [[Wales national football team|senior]] levels.<ref name="Hugman2001-02"/><ref>{{NFT player|id=19882|name=Coleman, Chris|accessdate=11 July 2015}}</ref> His only competitive football appearance after his leg injuries came for Wales on 14 May 2002, when he was called up to the squad as a replacement for [[Danny Gabbidon]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Coleman returns to Wales fold|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/team_pages/germany/newsid_1966000/1966800.stm|access-date=11 October 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=3 May 2002}}</ref> and then came on as a late substitute for goalscorer [[Robert Earnshaw]] in the 1–0 win over [[Germany national football team|Germany]] at the [[Millennium Stadium]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Earnshaw seals historic win|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport3/worldcup2002/hi/team_pages/germany/newsid_1986000/1986443.stm|access-date=11 October 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=14 May 2002}}</ref>

Coleman was also eligible to play for Ireland, through his father.<ref name="auto"/>

==Managerial career==
===Fulham===
Coleman joined Fulham's coaching staff in October 2002 under Tigana.<ref>{{cite news|title=Coleman retires|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2002/october/02/coleman-retires|publisher=Fulham F.C|date=2 October 2002|access-date=10 April 2014}}</ref> He later succeeded the Frenchman as caretaker manager in April 2003, and steered Fulham away from relegation danger. He was named as Fulham's permanent manager in May 2003, beating the more experienced [[Klaus Toppmöller]] and [[George Burley]] to the post, and also became the youngest manager in the Premier League.<ref>{{cite news | title = Coleman named Fulham boss | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/3028375.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 15 May 2003 | access-date =19 December 2007}}</ref>

His first full season in charge saw Fulham finish a surprise ninth place, as many pundits tipped them to struggle and for Coleman to be sacked.<ref>{{cite news | title = Coleman gets new deal | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/3873931.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 7 July 2004 | access-date =19 December 2007}}</ref> Many of Fulham's key players, such as [[Edwin van der Sar]], [[Louis Saha]], [[Steed Malbranque]] and [[Luís Boa Morte]], were sold in the following years and Fulham did not repeat their earlier successes under Coleman though he kept them clear of relegation. He was sacked on 10 April 2007 in a move that caught some observers by surprise, after a seven-game winless run that left the club four points above the relegation zone.<ref name="Coleman out as Sanchez takes over">{{cite news | title = Coleman out as Sanchez takes over | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/f/fulham/6543541.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 10 April 2007 | access-date =26 January 2016}}</ref>

===Real Sociedad===
Coleman moved abroad to manage recently relegated [[Segunda División]] side [[Real Sociedad]] on 4 July 2007, after being recommended to the club by fellow Welshman and former Real Sociedad manager [[John Toshack]].<ref name="Coleman appointed Sociedad boss">{{cite news | title = Coleman appointed Sociedad boss | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6247584.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 4 July 2007 | access-date =26 January 2016}}</ref> He was linked with [[Bolton Wanderers F.C.|Bolton Wanderers]] in October 2007<ref>{{cite news | title = Bolton Wanderers eye Chris Coleman | url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/10/19/sfnbol119.xml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071019232007/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2007%2F10%2F19%2Fsfnbol119.xml | url-status = dead | archive-date = 19 October 2007 | newspaper = The Daily Telegraph | date = 19 October 2007 | access-date = 19 December 2007 | location = London | first = Mark | last = Ogden }}</ref> though nothing came of it. With the club in 5th place and having only lost once in its previous eleven games, Coleman resigned as manager on 16 January 2008, citing a divergence in vision for the club with newly elected President Iñaki Badiola.<ref name="Coleman resigns as Sociedad boss">{{cite news | title = Coleman resigns as Sociedad boss | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7192513.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 16 January 2008 | access-date =26 January 2016}}</ref>

===Coventry City===
Coleman was appointed manager of [[EFL Championship|Championship]] club [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]] on 19 February 2008, signing a three-and-a-half-year contract. He replaced [[Iain Dowie]], who had been sacked by new owner [[Ray Ranson]].<ref>{{cite news | title = Coleman unveiled as Coventry boss | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/7250422.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 19 February 2008 | access-date =19 February 2008}}</ref>

On 26 August 2008, the BBC reported that Coleman was no longer interested in the Wales national team.<ref>{{cite news | title = Coleman 'not interested' in Wales | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/7581021.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 26 August 2008 | access-date =26 August 2008}}</ref> He later said that his words had been misinterpreted; when answering a question on whether Coventry striker [[Freddy Eastwood]] was fit to play for Wales, he meant to say that he wanted Eastwood fit for club before returning to international duty.<ref>{{cite news | title = Coleman proud of Welsh background | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/league_of_wales/7595897.stm | work = BBC Sport | date = 3 September 2008 | access-date =2 February 2009}}</ref> On 4 May 2010, Coleman was sacked following Coventry's 19th-place finish during the 2009–10 season,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/8659442.stm |title=Chris Coleman sacked by Coventry City |work=BBC Sport |date=4 May 2010 |access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref> their lowest league finish in more than 45 years. They would be relegated two years later.

===AEL===
On 26 May 2011, Coleman was appointed as manager of Greek side [[Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C.|AEL]].<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/13569361.stm |title=Greek side Larissa appoint Chris Coleman as manager |work=BBC Sport |date=26 May 2011}}</ref> In January 2012, Coleman announced that because of financial troubles at the club he would be quitting from his position as manager.<ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16472159.stm |title=Chris Coleman to leave troubled Greece side AEL |work=BBC Sport |date=9 January 2012 |access-date=9 January 2012}}</ref>

===Wales===
[[File:Chris Coleman 2015 2.jpg|thumb|200px|Coleman as manager of [[Wales national football team|Wales]] in 2015]]

On 19 January 2012, Coleman was appointed team manager of the [[Wales national football team|Wales national team]], as successor to his friend [[Gary Speed]], who had died the previous November.<ref name="Chris Coleman unveiled as Wales manager">{{cite news|title=Chris Coleman unveiled as Wales manager|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/16595203.stm|work=BBC Sport|date=19 January 2012|access-date=26 January 2016}}</ref> After letting his assistant [[Osian Roberts]] take charge in Speed's memorial match against [[Costa Rica national football team|Costa Rica]] in February,<ref>{{cite news|title=Raymond Verheijen hits out at FAW and resigns as Wales assistant coach|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2012/feb/24/raymond-verheijen-resigns-wales|access-date=19 October 2015|newspaper=The Guardian|location=London|date=24 February 2012}}</ref> his first game in charge was a 2–0 defeat against [[Mexico national football team|Mexico]] at the [[MetLife Stadium]] in New Jersey on 27 May.<ref>{{cite news|title=Friendly international: Mexico 2–0 Wales|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/18230970|access-date=19 October 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=27 May 2012}}</ref>

Wales' first match in [[2014 FIFA World Cup qualification]] was on 7 September at home to [[Belgium national football team|Belgium]], with centre back [[James Collins (footballer born 1983)|James Collins]] sent off for a late lunge on [[Guillaume Gillet]] in the 25th minute of an eventual 2–0 loss.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hughes|first1=Dewi|title=Wales 0–2 Belgium|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19412708|access-date=19 October 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=7 September 2012}}</ref> Four days later in [[Novi Sad]], the team lost 6–1 to Serbia; Coleman said in October 2015 that he considered leaving his post after the defeat.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chris Coleman mulled quitting Wales after 2012 Serbia loss |url=https://www.espn.co.uk/football/wales/story/2656425/chris-coleman-mulled-quitting-wales-after-2012-serbia-loss |website=espn.co.uk |access-date=2 September 2020 |date=10 October 2015}}</ref> After becoming the first Welsh manager to lose his first five games, Coleman got his first win on 12 October 2012, a 2–1 victory against [[Scotland national football team|Scotland]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pope|first1=Bruce|title=Wales 2–1 Scotland|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19862443|access-date=19 October 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=12 October 2012}}</ref> On 26 March 2013, in a qualifier against [[Croatia national football team|Croatia]] at the [[Liberty Stadium]], Wales led 1–0 for the majority of the game through a [[Gareth Bale]] penalty, but two late goals from the opponents ended any hopes of qualification.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pope|first1=Bruce|title=Wales 1–2 Croatia|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21881457|access-date=19 October 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=26 March 2013}}</ref>

In October 2015, Coleman led Wales to their best ever position on the [[FIFA World Rankings]], 8th.<ref>{{cite news|title=Wales one behind Brazil in Fifa rankings; Northern Ireland 35th|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/34411559|access-date=18 November 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=1 October 2015}}</ref> On 10 October, their qualification for the [[UEFA Euro 2016]] tournament was confirmed, a first tournament qualification since 1958.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33543994|title=Bosnia 2 Wales 0|date=10 October 2015|work=BBC Sport|access-date=13 October 2015}}</ref> The team came first in their group in France, and eliminated Northern Ireland and Belgium to reach the semi-finals, losing to eventual champions Portugal. Coleman received interest from other teams due to his management of the Welsh team at the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|title=Euro 2016: Wales lose semi-final but are still winners|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36728931|access-date=18 November 2017|work=BBC Sport|date=7 July 2016}}</ref>

On 23 May 2016, it was announced at a [[Football Association of Wales]] press conference that Coleman had signed a two-year contract extension to take in the 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/euro-2016/2016/0523/790344-chris-coleman_wales/|title=Wales manager Chris Coleman agrees new deal|website=[[RTÉ.ie]]|date=23 May 2016|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> Wales's 1–0 home loss to the Republic of Ireland on 9 October 2017 meant that they were eliminated from qualification.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Wilson|first1=Jeremy|title=Wales 0 Ireland 1: James McClean breaks Welsh hearts as Republic reach play-offs|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/09/wales-vs-ireland-world-cup-qualifier-live-score-updates/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2017/10/09/wales-vs-ireland-world-cup-qualifier-live-score-updates/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=18 November 2017|work=The Daily Telegraph|date=9 October 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Coleman resigned as Wales manager on 17 November.<ref name=WalesOut>{{cite web |title=FAW statement: Chris Coleman |url=http://www.faw.cymru/en/news/faw-statement-chris-coleman |publisher=Football Association of Wales |date=17 November 2017 |access-date=22 November 2017}}</ref>

===Sunderland===
On 19 November 2017, Coleman was appointed as the new manager of under-performing [[EFL Championship|Championship]] club [[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Coleman named new manager |url=https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2017/november/coleman-named-new-manager |publisher=Sunderland A.F.C. |date=19 November 2017 |access-date=23 November 2017}}</ref> He replaced the dismissed [[Simon Grayson]], who had left the Black Cats third from bottom of the league table in twenty-second place and within the relegation drop zone. <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41826412|title=Simon Grayson: Sunderland sack manager after 15 games|publisher=BBC|date=31 October 2017}}</ref> Coleman's first game in charge was a 2–1 defeat at [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]], two days after his appointment.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/41978132|title=Aston Villa 2–1 Sunderland|work=[[BBC Sport]]|date=21 November 2017|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref> By the conclusion of 2017, Sunderland had collected eleven points, out of a possible twenty-four, under Coleman's guidance, briefly lifting out of the relegation zone into twenty-first place, following a satisfactory run of form.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/42463023|title=Nottingham Forest 0–1 Sunderland|work=BBC Sport|date=30 December 2017|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref>

During the [[Transfer window|winter transfer window]], Coleman was informed that club chairman [[Ellis Short]] had refused to invest any more money into player transfers, with the American businessman announcing his intentions to sell the club.<ref name=NetflixTransferWindow>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt9430720/?ref_=ttep_ep5|title=Sunderland 'Til I Die – Series 1, Episode 5|publisher=[[Internet Movie Database]]|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref> Joining the club for free of charge included the loan signings of [[Jake Clarke-Salter]] from [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[Ovie Ejaria]] from [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], [[Lee Camp (footballer)|Lee Camp]] from [[Cardiff City F.C.|Cardiff City]] and [[Ashley Fletcher]] from fierce rivals [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]]; [[Kazenga LuaLua]] was the only permanent transfer that window, joining from [[Brighton & Hove Albion F.C.|Brighton & Hove Albion]] on a free transfer.<ref name=NetflixTransferWindow/>

After their transfer window nightmare, Sunderland went on a nine-game winless run, ending when they defeated [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] 4–1 at [[Pride Park Stadium|Pride Park]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43510071|title=Derby County 1–4 Sunderland|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=30 March 2018|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref> This was Coleman's final victory in charge of Sunderland; his final six games saw the Black Cats record three draws and three defeats.<ref name=FulhamSunderlandLast>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/43833102|title=Fulham 2–1 Sunderland|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=27 April 2018|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref> Relegation to [[EFL League One|League One]] was confirmed following a 2–1 defeat against [[Burton Albion F.C.|Burton Albion]] at the [[Stadium of Light]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43762308|title=Sunderland 1–2 Burton Albion|publisher=[[BBC Sport]]|date=21 April 2018|access-date=9 November 2019}}</ref> His final game in charge was a 2–1 defeat to [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]].<ref name=FulhamSunderlandLast/> On 29 April 2018, Coleman was dismissed shortly following the club's sale.<ref>{{cite news|title=Chris Coleman: Sunderland manager leaves after relegation from Championship|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/43941723|work=BBC Sport|date=29 April 2018}}</ref>

=== Hebei China Fortune ===
On 10 June 2018, Coleman was appointed as the head coach of Chinese club [[Hebei China Fortune F.C.|Hebei China Fortune]], as successor to [[Manuel Pellegrini]],<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/jun/10/chris-coleman-appointed-manager-of-chinese-club-hebei-china-fortune|title=Chris Coleman appointed manager of Chinese club Hebei China Fortune|last=Unwin|first=Will|date=10 June 2018|work=The Guardian|access-date=23 May 2019}}</ref> who left the side to return to the [[Premier League]] with [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2018/may/21/manuel-pellegrini-set-to-be-confirmed-as-west-ham-new-manager |title=West Ham appoint Manuel Pellegrini as manager on three-year deal |last=Steinberg |first=Jacob |date=22 May 2018 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=23 May 2018}}</ref> The club had become notable during the year for completing the high-profile signing of [[Javier Mascherano]] from Spanish [[La Liga]] giants [[FC Barcelona|Barcelona]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sports.sina.com.cn/china/j/2018-01-24/doc-ifyquptv9245206.shtml|script-title=zh:华夏官方宣布巴萨铁腰加盟 将披14号球衣战中超 |date=24 January 2018|access-date=24 January 2018|work=Sina Sport|language=zh-cn}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.hebeifootball.com/1288/1297/content_38266.html|script-title=zh:传奇继续！阿根廷功勋队长马斯切拉诺加盟河北华夏幸福|trans-title=Legend continues: Argentine trophies-winning captain Mascherano joins Hebei China Fortune|date=24 January 2018|access-date=24 January 2018|publisher=Hebei China Fortune F.C.|language=zh-cn|title=|archive-date=9 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191109153337/http://www.hebeifootball.com/1288/1297/content_38266.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=https://www.fcbarcelona.com/football/first-team/news/2017-2018/agreement-hebei-fortune-signing-mascherano|title= Agreement with Hebei Fortune for the transfer of Javier Mascherano |date=24 January 2018|access-date=24 January 2018|publisher=F.C. Barcelona}}</ref> His side finished the [[2018 Chinese Super League|2018 Super League season]] in sixth position, two places and fourteen points adrift from qualification to the [[2019 AFC Champions League]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://csl-china.com/list_score.html|title=Chinese Super League Table|access-date=9 November 2019|archive-date=3 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191203194755/http://www.csl-china.com/list_score.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Coleman's side struggled to adapt in the [[2019 Chinese Super League|2019 league campaign]], with the club sat in fifteenth place, in the relegation zone, following nine games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2019/05/11/china-pr/csl/hebei-zhongji/henan-jianye/2979937/|title=Hebei CFFC vs. Henan Jianye - 11 May 2019 - Soccerway|publisher=International Soccerway|accessdate=9 November 2019}}</ref> Having only won one game that league season, a 2–1 victory over [[Shanghai Greenland Shenhua F.C.|Shanghai Greenland Shenhua]], he was sacked on 15 May due to poor performance.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/48248039|title=Chris Coleman: Ex-Wales manager sacked by Hebei China Fortune|date=15 May 2019|work=BBC Sport|access-date=23 May 2019}}</ref>

==Personal life==
He is married to TV presenter [[Charlotte Jackson]]. They had a son at the end of 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/charlotte-jackson-marries-chris-coleman-surprise-wedding|title=Charlotte Jackson marries Chris Coleman|author=Briggs, Zoe|work=OK! Magazine|access-date=24 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924060805/http://www.ok.co.uk/celebrity-news/charlotte-jackson-marries-chris-coleman-surprise-wedding|archive-date=24 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/wales-manager-chris-coleman-sky-9271492|title=Wales manager Chris Coleman and Sky Sports presenter Charlotte Jackson tie the knot|first=Ruth|last=Mosalski|date=17 May 2015|work=WalesOnline|access-date=24 August 2015}}</ref> Coleman's godson is [[Republic of Ireland national football team|Republic of Ireland]] international [[Ronan Curtis]], who plays as a forward for AFC Wimbledon.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/football-league-blog/2018/oct/10/portsmouth-buzz-back-football-league-blog|title=How Portsmouth got the buzz back after years of misery|last=Fisher|first=Ben|date=10 October 2018|website=The Guardian|language=en|access-date=16 October 2018}}</ref>

In June 2010, Coleman worked as a [[sports commentator|commentator]] for [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] at the [[2010 FIFA World Cup]] in South Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.itv.com/presscentre/worldcup2010/week24/default.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=20 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618061747/http://www.itv.com/presscentre/worldcup2010/week24/default.html |archive-date=18 June 2010}}</ref> He has also worked as a commentator and pundit for [[Sky Sports]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Stock Photo - Wales manager Chris Coleman working as a TV pundit for Sky Sports during the Premier League match at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea|url=http://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-wales-manager-chris-coleman-working-as-a-tv-pundit-for-sky-sports-122205362.html|publisher=Alamy|access-date=18 November 2017}}</ref> For [[UEFA Euro 2020|Euro 2020]], he worked for [[ESPN]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=https://espnpressroom.com/us/press-releases/2021/05/espn-assembles-an-all-star-roster-of-hosts-analysts-and-reporters-for-uefa-euro-2020-june-11-july-11/ |title=ESPN Assembles an All-Star Roster of Hosts, Analysts and Reporters for UEFA EURO 2020, June 11 – July 11 |publisher=ESPN |date=27 May 2021 |accessdate=28 June 2021}}</ref>

On 20 October 2016 he was awarded the Freedom of the City of Swansea.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-37706001 |title=Chris Coleman: Wales boss to get freedom of Swansea
 |work=BBC News |date=20 October 2016}}</ref> Coleman was appointed [[Officer of the Order of the British Empire]] (OBE) in the [[2017 New Year Honours]] for services to football.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=61803 |supp=y|page=N11|date=31 December 2016}}</ref> In 2017, he was awarded an honorary degree from his hometown's [[University of Swansea]],<ref name=swanseauni>{{Cite news |title = Wales boss Coleman is presented with honorary degree |url = http://www.itv.com/news/wales/2017-01-11/wales-boss-coleman-is-presented-with-honorary-degree/ |publisher = ITV |date = 11 January 2017}}</ref> and fellowships at both [[Bangor University]] and [[University of Wales Trinity Saint David]].<ref name=bangor>{{Cite news |title = Wales hero Chris Coleman 'humbled and honoured' by Bangor University award |url = http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/chris-coleman-wales-bangor-university-13343519 |publisher = Daily Post |date = 17 July 2017}}</ref><ref name=trinity>{{Cite news |title = Wales boss Chris Coleman gets honorary fellowship from university |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-south-west-wales-40563693 |publisher = BBC |date = 10 July 2017}}</ref><ref name=cardiff>{{Cite news |title = Chris Coleman picks up Honorary Fellowship |url = http://www.barry-today.co.uk/article.cfm?id=114861&headline=Chris%20Coleman%20picks%20up%20Honorary%20Fellowship&sectionIs=sport&searchyear=2017 |publisher = Glamorgan Gem |date = 25 July 2017}}</ref> In July 2017, he endorsed the Welsh Government's project to double the number of speakers of Welsh by 2050.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Trewyn|first1=Hywel|title=Chris Coleman backs government strategy to double Welsh language speakers by 2050|url=http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/chris-coleman-backs-government-strategy-13317280|access-date=18 November 2017|work=Daily Post|date=11 July 2017}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{{BLP unsourced section|date=November 2017}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
|-
!rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season
!colspan="3"|League
!colspan="2"|[[FA Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[EFL Cup|League Cup]]
!colspan="2"|[[UEFA|Europe]]
!colspan="2"|Total
|-
!Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals
|-
|rowspan="4"|[[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]]||[[1987-88 Football League|1987–88]]||[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]]||30||0||2||0||2||0||0||0||34||0
|-
|[[1988-89 Football League|1988–89]]||rowspan="3"|[[Football League Third Division|Third Division]]||43||0||3||0||2||0||5||0||53||0
|-
|[[1989–90 Football League|1989–90]]||46||2||4||0||2||0||2||0||54||2
|-
|[[1990–91 Football League|1990–91]]||41||0||4||1||2||0||8||0||55||1
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Crystal Palace F.C.|Crystal Palace]]||[[1991–92 Football League|1991–92]]||[[Football League First Division|First Division]]||18||4||1||0||5||0||0||0||24||4
|-
|[[1992–93 FA Premier League|1992–93]]||[[Premier League]]||38||5||1||0||7||2||0||0||46||7
|-
|[[1993–94 Football League|1993–94]]||First Division||46||3||1||0||4||0||0||0||51||3
|-
|[[1994–95 FA Premier League|1994–95]]||Premier League||35||1||7||1||6||0||0||0||48||2
|-
|[[1995–96 Football League|1995–96]]||First Division||17||0||2||0||2||0||0||0||21||0
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]]||[[1995–96 FA Premier League|1995–96]]||rowspan="3"|Premier League||20||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||20||0
|-
|[[1996–97 FA Premier League|1996–97]]||8||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||9||0
|-
|[[1997–98 FA Premier League|1997–98]]||0||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||1||0
|-
|rowspan="5"|[[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]||[[1997–98 Football League|1997–98]]||rowspan="2"|[[Football League Second Division|Second Division]]||26||1||1||0||0||0||0||0||27||1
|-
|[[1998–99 Football League|1998–99]]||45||4||7||0||5||1||0||0||57||5
|-
|[[1999–2000 Football League|1999–2000]]||rowspan="2"|First Division||40||3||3||1||7||1||0||0||50||5
|-
|[[2000–01 Football League|2000–01]]||25||0||0||0||1||0||0||0||26||0
|-
|[[2001–02 Premier League|2001–02]]||Premier League||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0||0
|-
!colspan="3"|Career total
!478||23||36||3||48||4||15||0||576||30
|}

==Managerial statistics==
{{updated|match played 10 November 2024}}

{| class=wikitable style=text-align:center
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure
|-
!rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From
!rowspan=2|To
!colspan=5|Record
!rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}}
|-
!{{abbr|P|Matches played}}!!{{abbr|W|Matches won}}!!{{abbr|D|Matches drawn}}!!{{abbr|L|Matches lost}}!!{{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}}
|-
|align=left|[[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]]
|align=left|17 April 2003
|align=left|10 April 2007
{{WDL|176|61|44|71|decimals=1}}
|<ref name="Coleman out as Sanchez takes over"/><ref name="Managers: Chris Coleman"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Real Sociedad]]
|align=left|4 July 2007
|align=left|16 January 2008
{{WDL|21|8|7|6|decimals=1}}
|<ref name="Coleman appointed Sociedad boss"/><ref name="Coleman resigns as Sociedad boss"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bdfutbol.com/en/p/l7366.html?temp=2007-08 |title=Coleman: Christopher Patrick Coleman: Matches: 2007–08 |publisher=BDFutbol |access-date=11 July 2015}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|[[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]]
|align=left|19 February 2008
|align=left|4 May 2010
{{WDL|117|34|37|46|decimals=1}}
|<ref name="Managers: Chris Coleman"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C.|AEL]]
|align=left|26 May 2011
|align=left|10 January 2012
{{WDL|12|6|4|2|decimals=1}}
|<ref name="Managers: Chris Coleman"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Wales national football team|Wales]]
|align=left|19 January 2012
|align=left|17 November 2017
{{WDL|50|19|13|18|decimals=1}}
|<ref name="Chris Coleman unveiled as Wales manager"/><ref name=WalesOut/><ref name="Managers: Chris Coleman"/>
|-
|align=left|[[Sunderland A.F.C.|Sunderland]]
|align=left|19 November 2017
|align=left|29 April 2018
{{WDL|29|5|8|16|decimals=1}}
|<ref name="Managers: Chris Coleman">{{cite web|url=http://www.soccerbase.com/managers/manager.sd?manager_id=1854 |title=Managers: Chris Coleman |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=30 December 2017}}</ref>
|-
|align=left|[[Hebei China Fortune F.C.|Hebei China Fortune]]
|align=left|10 June 2018
|align=left|15 May 2019
{{WDL|21|7|6|8|decimals=1}}
|{{cn|date=October 2018}}
|-
|align=left|[[Atromitos F.C.|Atromitos]]
|align=left|7 January 2022
|align=left|10 October 2023
{{WDL|60|16|21|23|decimals=1}}
|-
|align=left|[[AEL Limassol]]
|align=left|25 May 2024
|align=left|Present
{{WDL|10|5|1|4|decimals=1}}
|
|-
!colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|496|161|141|194|decimals=1}}
!—
|}

==Honours==
===Player===
'''Swansea City'''
*[[Welsh Cup]]: [[1988–89 Welsh Cup|1988–89]], [[1990–91 Welsh Cup|1990–91]]<ref name="Hugman2001-02"/>

'''Crystal Palace'''
*[[Football League First Division]]: [[1993–94 Football League First Division|1993–94]]<ref name="Hugman2001-02"/>

'''Fulham'''
*Football League First Division: [[2000–01 Football League First Division|2000–01]]<ref name="Hugman2001-02"/>
*[[Football League Second Division]]: [[1998–99 Football League Second Division|1998–99]]<ref name="Hugman2001-02"/>

'''Individual'''
*[[PFA Team of the Year]]: [[1988–89 Football League#Third Division|1988–89 Third Division]], [[1990–91 Football League#Third Division|1990–91 Third Division]], [[1997–98 Football League#Second Division|1997–98 Second Division]], [[1998–99 Football League#Second Division|1998–99 Second Division]], [[1999–2000 Football League#First Division|1999–2000 First Division]], [[2000–01 Football League#First Division|2000–01 First Division]]
*[[Crystal Palace F.C. Player of the Year|Crystal Palace Player of the Year]]: 1994

===Manager===

'''Individual'''
*[[Football League Championship Manager of the Month]]: February 2009<ref>{{Cite news |title=Winners Announced |url=http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/LatestNewsDetail/0,,10794~1579909,00.html |publisher=The Football League |date=5 April 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090307223037/http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/LatestNewsDetail/0%2C%2C10794~1579909%2C00.html |archive-date=7 March 2009}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*{{Soccerbase}}

{{AEL Limassol squad}}
{{Wales squad UEFA Euro 2016}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| list1 = 
{{1988–89 Football League Third Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1990–91 Football League Third Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1997–98 Football League Second Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1998–99 Football League Second Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{1999–2000 Football League First Division PFA Team of the Year}}
{{2000–01 Football League First Division Team of the Year}}
{{Crystal Palace F.C. Player of the Year}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 = 
{{Fulham F.C. managers}}
{{Real Sociedad managers}}
{{Coventry City F.C. managers}}
{{Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C. managers}}
{{Wales national football team managers}}
{{Sunderland A.F.C. managers}}
{{Hebei China Fortune F.C. managers}}
{{Atromitos F.C. managers}}
{{AEL Limassol managers}}
}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Coleman, Chris}}
[[Category:1970 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Welsh Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Footballers from Swansea]]
[[Category:Welsh men's footballers]]
[[Category:Wales men's schools international footballers]]
[[Category:Wales men's youth international footballers]]
[[Category:Wales men's under-21 international footballers]]
[[Category:Wales men's international footballers]]
[[Category:Men's association football central defenders]]
[[Category:Manchester City F.C. players]]
[[Category:Swansea City A.F.C. players]]
[[Category:Crystal Palace F.C. players]]
[[Category:Blackburn Rovers F.C. players]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. players]]
[[Category:English Football League players]]
[[Category:Premier League players]]
[[Category:Welsh football managers]]
[[Category:Fulham F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Real Sociedad managers]]
[[Category:Coventry City F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Athlitiki Enosi Larissa F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Wales national football team managers]]
[[Category:Sunderland A.F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Hebei F.C. managers]]
[[Category:Premier League managers]]
[[Category:Segunda División managers]]
[[Category:English Football League managers]]
[[Category:UEFA Euro 2016 managers]]
[[Category:Welsh expatriate football managers]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Spain]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in Greece]]
[[Category:Expatriate football managers in China]]
[[Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in Spain]]
[[Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in Greece]]
[[Category:Welsh expatriate sportspeople in China]]
[[Category:British association football commentators]]
[[Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire]]
[[Category:Chinese Super League managers]]
[[Category:People associated with Swansea University]]
[[Category:People associated with Bangor University]]
[[Category:People associated with University of Wales Trinity Saint David]]
[[Category:Welsh people of Irish descent]]