LONDON (AFP) - Former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier heads a short-list of four candidates to take over as Wales manager, the Welsh Football Association said.
"Gerard Houllier has offered his services and is on a short-list with John Toshack, Ian Rush and Bryan Flynn", said Welsh FA spokesman Ceri Stennett.
The four men are to be interviewed after next week's Welsh FA board meeting.
Former captain Gary Speed, the players' choice, ruled himself out of the running to replace Mark Hughes.
Houllier, the former France national coach who also led Paris St Germain to the French championship, was sacked by Liverpool in May.
Former Liverpool star Toshack, whose coaching credits include Real Madrid coach, managed Wales for just one match before walking out 10 years ago and is unpopular with fans and players.
He started his coaching career at Swansea City and also had spells at Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, Turkish outfit Besiktas, French club St Etienne.
He resigned after his one match in charge of Wales because he was roundly booed throughout it following the unpopular removal of Terry Yorath.
Rush is another former Liverpool and Wales star striker while Flynn, the former Burnley and Leeds midfielder, was initially put forward as Speed's assistant.
10/22/2004 - 10:41 GMT - AFP