Without doubt, the highlight of his career has been leading Wales to a first major tournament since 1958. Whilst on the way to qualifying for UEFA EURO 2016, Chris also steered Wales to their highest ever FIFA World Ranking position of 8th.

During EURO 2016, Chris was famously quoted as saying: “Dream – don’t be afraid to have dreams. Because four years ago I was as far away from this as you can imagine and look what’s happened.

“If you work hard enough and you’re not afraid to dream and you’re not afraid to fail. Everybody fails. Don’t be afraid to fail. I’ve had more failures than successes, but I’m not afraid to fail.”

With this mantra, Chris reached the pinnacle of his football career at EURO 2016, as he guided Wales to the Semi-Finals of a major tournament for the very first time. It was an incredible achievement that inspired a nation. An achievement that went beyond football and beyond sport. It was of cultural importance.

During his playing career, Chris ran out for Swansea City, Crystal Palace, Blackburn Rovers and Fulham. He was capped 32 times for Wales and scored 4 goals.

After injury ended his playing career at the age of 32, he became the youngest ever manager in the English Premier League at Fulham, guiding them to 9th position following his first full season in charge.

His managerial career also took him to Real Sociedad, Coventry City and Greek outfit Larissa, before taking on his dream job as Wales manager.

Chris enjoys a special relationship with Welsh fans as he regularly travels around the country, outside of the media spotlight, to hold intimate Q&A sessions in the heart of Welsh communities.

Chris was recently given the Freedom of the City of Swansea honour, received an honorary degree from Swansea University and awarded an OBE by the Queen in the New Year’s Honours List.

It is, therefore, no wonder the country has shown him and his team such incredible support. The kind of support that led Chris to say: “As a nation geographically we’re small, but I think if you’re judging us on passion then we could be described as a continent.”