John Toshack has been confirmed as the new Wales coach, replacing Mark Hughes, who quit to take over at Blackburn Rovers.

Former Wales international Toshack had been a leading front-runner for the post as soon as Hughes announced he would be leaving the role to concentrate on his duties at Ewood Park.

Toshack was interviewed by The Football Association of Wales on Thursday, along with fellow candidates Dean Saunders and Philippe Troussier.

His sales pitch persuaded The FAW that he is the right man to succeed Hughes and possibly rescue the team's flagging 2006 World Cup qualifying hopes.

It will be Toshack's second stint in charge of his country after he briefly held the role in 1994 and there has been scepticism surrounding his appointment.

Key players in the current Welsh team, such as Robbie Savage, have aired their concerns due to the Liverpool legend's previous criticism of the side.

Toshack has signed a five-year contract with The FAW and admits one of his first tasks will be to reduce the age of the squad.

"We will be as good as the young players we've got," Toshack told Sky Sports News. "We can't buy players, get them in on loan or go into the shop window.

"The average age of the side needs to be brought down. It's going to be an interesting, challenging time.

"I think all the Welsh players that are available will come into the reckoning, whether they play is another thing.

"One man's meat is another man's poison. What you see in some, others don't and what you miss is something that others have seen.

"The more players that we have got the better chance we have got but I do think the average age needs to be brought down a little bit and I will start looking at some new faces."

The former Swansea City boss has coached across the continent but admits a sustained spell in charge of his home country was one of his few remaining goals.

He continued: "After 26 years in six different countries, this is one of the few things now that motivates me.

"I'm looking forward to it, it is a big job. Taking your country to the European Championship finals or to the World Cup finals is one of the few things left for me.

"I have been very fortunate and privileged in 40 years in the game and this is the kind of challenge I like."

With Wales holding only a slim chance of reaching the 2006 World Cup, Toshack admits he already has one eye on future qualifying campaigns.

"The goal is to win the next match. As I said earlier I have to strike a balance between getting results as long as it is still mathematically possible as well as having one eye on the European Championship qualifying games which start in September 2006.

"I think the most realistic of us would say that this World Cup qualifying campaign, particularly with Poland winning all three games away, has really got away from us, so it will be very difficult."

If there is a Welsh team after this appointment...oh no!

Hughes and Sav underwhelmed

Blackburn Rovers manager Mark Hughes and Birmingham City's Robbie Savage are less than enamoured with John Toshack's imminent appointment as Wales coach.

Hughes, who departed the role to concentrate on his duties at Ewood Park, was stung by criticism of the former Real Madrid boss during his tenure as an international manager.

"It's a little bit surprising," he conceded. "Obviously he's been highly critical of the efforts of others.

"Possibly, I have more respect for him now because he's prepared to put his head on the line and try and move Welsh football forward which, in the past, I think he's hampered."

Savage has no intention of retiring from international football but is unsure whether Toshack will select him.

"[As for] the criticism aimed at some people, he has his opinion," he told Sky Sports News.

"I can accept people's opinions and obviously he's well respected in the game and has managed some big clubs.

"If he has opinions of a player, that's his opinion.

"I want to keep playing for Wales and I will give John Toshack everything I have.

"If that's good enough to be in his team, so be it. But, if it's not, there's nothing I can do about it."

'ere we go......

Pembridge quits Wales

Fulham midfielder Mark Pembridge has called time on his international career with Wales.

Pembridge's announcement comes after The Football Association of Wales unveiled John Toshack as the team's new coach.

Former Everton ace Pembridge has been mulling over his future with Wales for several weeks and has opted to follow Gary Speed and Andy Melville into retirement.

He made his debut in 1991 against Brazil and has accrued 54 caps during his 13-year career with the national team.

The 33-year-old feels it is time to bow out and allow Toshack the opportunity to blood younger players into the Welsh squad.

"After discussions with my family and close friends, it is with deep regret that I would like to announce my immediate retirement from international football," said Pembridge in a statement on Fulham's official website.

"Since making my debut for Wales in 1991 it has been both an honour and a privilege to represent my country at the highest level.

"However, at this stage of my career I feel it is now time to step aside and give younger players the privileged opportunity to play for the Welsh national team.

"The past 13 years have been very special and have given me some of the most memorable moments of my career."

Johnson quits Wales

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Andy Johnson has called time on his international career with Wales.

Johnson made his bow for Wales in 1998 and has gone on to win 15 caps.

The 30-year-old's last appearance came against Latvia three months ago, and he will not be appearing in the red of Wales again.

"I feel this is the right time to call it a day with Wales," said Johnson.

"I've really enjoyed my time with Wales. It's been a real honour to play for them.

"But I now feel it is the right time in my career to retire from the international scene and concentrate on my club football.

"This is not a decision I've made overnight. It is something I've been mulling over for a while as I'm not getting any younger."

Melville quits Wales

West Ham United centre back Andy Melville has decided to quit international football with Wales.

In a statement from The Football Association of Wales on Monday, the former Sunderland and Fulham defender revealed that now was the right time to walk away from the international game with the Principality.

Melville stated that the departure of manager Mark Hughes to take full control of Premiership side Blackburn Rovers meant it was the right time for him to concentrate on his club career with The Hammers.

"I have always been very proud to play for my country, but I feel now is the right time to bow out," Melville said in the statement.

"A new manager will need to look at some of the up and coming youngsters and I would not wish to stand in their way."

Melville made his Wales debut in a 2-1 defeat to West Germany in 1989 and won 65 caps for his country, scoring three goals.

After missing last month's World Cup qualifiers against England and Poland, the 34- year-old's final Wales appearance came in their 1-1 draw in Azerbaijan back in September.

The Welsh FA must have known this was going to happen if they appointed Toshack. What if Ryan follows suit?