Wales FA prepare for Toshack's exit

It is understood Toshack, who took over from Mark Hughes in November 2004, feels he cannot take Wales any further and will tender his resignation this week.

The 61-year-old, who was at the Football Association of Wales' headquarters in Cardiff yesterday, was unusually downbeat after the loss in Podgorica in the opening round of Euro 2012 qualifiers.

There had been optimism this could be the campaign in which the Wales squad came of age but Friday's performance was a hugely disappointing start.

With England hot favourites to win Group G, Toshack admitted another defeat by Bulgaria next month would leave Wales without "too much chance" of making it to Poland and Ukraine in 2012.

Toshack has overseen a huge change in playing personnel, putting an emphasis on youth and fast-tracking youngsters like Gareth Bale, Joe Ledley, Aaron Ramsey, Chris Gunter and Jack Collison into the senior side.

That approach has partly been forced on him by the international retirements of players including Robbie Savage, Gary Speed, Ryan Giggs, Jason Koumas and most recently Simon Davies.

Savage, who has been one of Toshack's biggest critics since a row with the manager five years ago led to him ending his Wales career, called for the former Real Madrid boss to go over the weekend.

Speaking on BBC Radio, the Derby midfielder said: "It is time John Toshack left Wales.

"I think we need a fresh start, fresh impetus. We need to get the crowds back and I think Toshack has to go.

"He has made enough excuses, he has been in the job six years. Judge him on his qualifying campaigns – they haven't qualified yet and they have got off to a terrible start again."

Former Wales striker John Hartson has expressed his interest in taking over should Toshack resign.

The 35-year-old, said he would be interested in the job, despite having no managerial experience.

"Absolutely. There's nobody that will be more committed and more Welsh than I am," he said.