WALES manager Chris Coleman says he’s delighted to have his future sorted before Euro 2016.

Coleman signed a new two-year contract today that will take him through to the end of the 2018 World Cup campaign.

The move comes after months of talks between the national boss and the Football Association of Wales and puts an end to speculation linking him with a return to club management.

At a press conference to announce the deal at the Vale of Glamorgan hotel Coleman said: “I’m delighted that we’ve come to the agreement.

“It’s an honour to be the manager of Wales for another two years.

“It was very important that everything came to a conclusion before we embark on this challenge in front of us.

“Our biggest strength is the unity of our staff and players.

“It was important that there was no uncertainty going to France and we can focus on what’s made us strong and successful.”

FAW chief executive Jonathan Ford said: “We’re delighted to have concluded this before the European Championships.

“It was always our target to secure Chris’ services in advance of the European Championships.

“We’ve got to continue to improve to give our guys the best opportunity to succeed on the field of play.

“Chris carries our hopes and dreams and expectations into the 2018 World Cup campaign.”

Asked about the length of contract negotiations, Coleman said it was important that he was given the opportunity to build on the achievement of taking Wales to a first major tournament since 1958.

“I was pleased to build on my first campaign, which wasn’t a success, and we need to build again on what we have achieved,” he said.

“We have to build on what we’ve done and that is the acid test.

“This is definitely not the time to sit back and enjoy the moment.

“This is the time that we push on and break boundaries and do something special.

“It’s not going to be easy but I enjoy the challenge.

“To improve on what we’ve done you can’t stand still. We have to take it forward and that was a factor in me staying.

“It’s not a case of doing the same thing. We need to keep improving and pushing ourselves.

“I haven’t got yes men around me. That doesn’t work. I need people to push me.

“Talks went on a bit longer than I think everyone expected but the FAW showed me that they really wanted me and that was important. I’m very happy to have another campaign.”

Coleman, who previously managed Fulham and Coventry City, admits that he does want to return to the club game but he’s not yet ready to hand over the reins of the national team.

“I spent almost 10 years as a domestic manager day to day and you do miss that,” he said.

“International management can be a bit lonely and there are a lot of things out of your control.

“I’m only going to manage Wales once – this is a one-off thing for me and we’ve got such a good group.

“We’ve all worked very hard to get to this place and it’s not something I want to give up and hand over to someone else easily.

“I’m pleased that I don’t have to do that.

“Everything we’ve always dreamed of and worked towards is here and I can’t wait.”