Robbie Savage has warned Wales chiefs that they must tie boss Chris Coleman down to a new contract prior to this summer's European Championship or risk losing him to a Premier League side.
The 45-year-old, who is the first manager in 58 years to lead the Red Dragons to a major finals, is due to be out of contract at the end of the tournament.
Coleman recently revealed that talks over fresh terms are imminent but, with the much-anticipated competition now less than three months away, nothing permanent has yet been put in place.
Speaking to Sports Mole, Savage claimed that a good showing from Wales this summer - spearheaded by Real Madrid ace Gareth Bale - could potentially see the former Fulham coach move on to pastures new.
"If they have a good Euros then who knows? He's managed at club level before so it's entirely up to him," Savage said. "It's obviously a big achievement reaching the Euros but he'll also have an eye on World Cup qualifying now – it's a decent group to have.
"For me he will now have it in his mind 'Can I get Wales to a World Cup for the first time since 1958'? But whatever happens I would offer Chris a new contract and get him tied up now, definitely. The thing is, if he has a good Euros then all of a sudden he will be massively in demand at club level."
Savage expects Wales to progress out of a group containing Slovakia, Russia and arch-rivals England, with one man in particular boasting the ability to win any game of football no matter who the opponent.
"A good tournament would be progressing out of the group stage for me," he added. "It's a great group for them and I think they have a real opportunity of doing it. For me Ashley Williams at the back will be key, as will Aaron Ramsey if he's injury free. Then of course you have Bale – a real matchwinner.
"If you have Bale fit then you have a real opportunity against any side you face. I honestly believe they have a real chance because of the number of teams that can make it through the group. A lot of the talk will obviously be about England, but for me there is only one superstar in that group – Gareth Bale."
Savage, speaking as part of the Heinz Big Soup initiative, also suggested that Swansea City skipper Williams - the man who will lead Wales out in France - could be tempted by a move to a top-four club during the summer transfer window.
Daniel Lewis
