CHRIS Coleman is keen for Raymond Verheijen to be part of his Wales backroom staff after holding talks with the outspoken Dutchman.

Verheijen was assistant manager under Coleman's predecessor Gary Speed, and is a popular figure with senior players in the national squad, including captain Aaron Ramsey and Craig Bellamy.

Many expected Verheijen to be dispensed with after he publicly expressed an interest in succeeding Speed, and with Coleman set to bring his former Fulham and Wales team-mate Kit Symons into the Wales set-up.

Osian Roberts, another of Speed's assistants, will remain in place.

"We've only had one meeting, so I spoke as much with Raymond as I did with Osian Roberts or anyone else — nothing special," said Coleman.

"People have made it into something that it's not, really. It was a productive meeting and we'll speak again. It was promising."