WALES could be without a manager for their final three Nations League matches next month if they lose the World Cup play-off final on June 5.
The Dragons face either Scotland or Ukraine at the Cardiff City Stadium for a spot at Qatar 2022.
But should Wales fail to book their first global finals appearance in 64 years, interim boss Rob Page, standing in for Ryan Giggs following his arrest in November 2020, will be out of contract.
No new deal has been offered by the Football Association of Wales to Page, who names his squad led by captain Gareth Bale on Thursday for the play-off final.
The 47-year-old has lost just four of 21 matches in charge but his current contract expires the moment the World Cup campaign ends.
That means Wales could be managerless when the Netherlands arrive in Cardiff just three days after the final – unless Welsh chiefs scramble to sort out a contract extension.
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Page said last month: “Come the final whistle against Scotland or Ukraine, if things haven’t gone our way then I am out of contract. That is just a fact.”
The Dragons, who kick-off their Nations League campaign in Poland on June 1, also play world No2 ranked side Belgium in Cardiff on June 11 and complete their June fixtures with an away date against Louis van Gaal’s side in Rotterdam on June 14.
The FAW have been relying on Page’s goodwill to continue to fill in for Giggs, who faces a domestic violence case in August, on a match-by-match basis.
Page hoped for a resolution to his future by meeting FAW chief executive Noel Mooney but remarkably it is understood no offer has yet been made.
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And SunSport also understands there have been no talks between Mooney and Page’s representatives in recent months.
Page does have many supporters within the FAW but the news that his future has not yet been sorted will stun both Welsh players and fans, who have also been extremely supportive of the 41-cap defender during his successful period with the senior side.
During Giggs’ absence, Page led Wales at Euro 2020 where they reached the last 16 and also qualified for the top tier of the Nations League among Europe’s elite.
The Wales managerial situation is sensitive and legally complex with Giggs, who also remains contracted with the FAW until the end of the World Cup campaign, set to stand trial in Manchester on August 8.
Giggs denies all the allegations.
SunSport reported three weeks ago Page’s future was discussed at a council meeting because the caretaker chief received interest from Burnley following the sacking of Sean Dyche.
Ex-Watford and Sheffield United centre-back Page still has admirers at Vicarage Road but the Hornets appointed Forest Green manager Rob Edwards last week.