Matty Jones leaves Wales Under-21s role after qualification failure

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 16:02 · Archive

Matty Jones has left his role as Wales Under-21s head coach after an unsuccessful European Championship qualification campaign.

Matty Jones has left his role as Wales Under-21s head coach following an unsuccessful European Championship qualification campaign. The 46-year-old, who was under contract until 2028, held the position since September 2022 and presided over a fourth-place finish in his qualifying group.

Wales won only two of their eight group-stage fixtures and suffered several heavy defeats. Austria beat them 7-1, Belgium won 7-0, and Denmark secured victories of 4-0 and 6-2. Wales also lost 3-0 to Belarus. This represents a second consecutive failed attempt to qualify the Under-21s for the European Championships.

In a statement, Jones said: 'My greatest honour to have done this role, my biggest heartbreak to lose it.' The Football Association of Wales expressed gratitude for his commitment and highlighted his role in developing young talent. Among those who progressed from his Under-21 squad to the senior side under manager Craig Bellamy are Lewis Koumas, Dylan Lawlor, Joel Colwill, Cian Ashford and Cameron Congreve.

How it is being reported

• Wales under-21s boss Matty Jones leaves with immediate effect after crushing defeatsIt comes after Wales once again missed out on qualifying for the European ChampionshipsWalesOnline · 16 Oct, 15:29
• Jones departs role as Wales Under-21s bossMatty Jones leaves his role as head coach of Wales Under-21s following an unsuccessful qualification campaign.BBC Wales · 16 Oct, 14:43

In this story: Matty Jones · Wales Under-21s · Football Association of Wales · Austria · Belgium · Denmark · Belarus

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