5 defining moments of Chris Coleman's Wales

Chris Coleman was the inspiration behind one of football's greatest romance stories and the culture of the modern game suggests that it is a story that is unlikely to be repeated. The qualifying campaign for UEFA EURO 2016 proved successful, and a number of generations would finally have the opportunity to watch Wales compete in the finals of a major tournament.

Only winning the European Championships would have trumped what Wales did achieve, and the side was not far away from doing just that. Reaching the semi-finals was more than Coleman could have realistically dreamt of achieving when he took the job after the late Gary Speed in such difficult circumstances, and he achieved redemption after a difficult start through fundamentally believing in himself.

Everything came together at the right time for Wales, and last summer made memories for tens of thousands of fans that may never be repeated. But what made the success so special was the fact that Coleman is as much a passionate Welsh fan as anyone. He wore his heart on his sleeve throughout his tenure, and he celebrated with the same intensity as those that followed his players across Europe.

A new era will now begin for Wales under the guidance of a new manager. He will inherit a professional setup and a squad of young and talented players hungry to emulate the achievements of last summer. Few managers receive the same gratitude that has been offered to Coleman on social media this week, and that is as much a mark of the man as it is the manager.

To celebrate his success, we take a look back at the five defining moments of his managerial tenure with Wales. A reign that would confirm his status as the greatest manager in the history of the Welsh national team, and leave his successor with an incredibly difficult job to follow.

#5 The first win

Gareth Bale celebrates his winning goal against Scotland in 2012

It was a long time coming, but it would prove to be a pivotal night in Cardiff when two late goals from Gareth Bale earned Chris Coleman his first victory as his side came from behind to beat Scotland 2-1 in their 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier. Almost 10 months since his appointment, and coming on the back of a 6-1 reverse in Serbia, it was the perfectly-timed tonic for a squad desperate to celebrate.

The euphoria of the winning goal meant more than three points. It also meant the start of finding closure to the horrendous circumstances that had caused the position to become vacant almost a year earlier. Gary Speed was the inspirational leader to this group of impressionable young players, but his death had affected the group in a deeply emotional way.

For the first time, Coleman, his players and the supporters had a reason to celebrate. A superb long-range strike from Bale was a fitting way to win the match, and the torrential rain only added to the effect. The outpouring of joy was significant and marked the dawn of a new era, but also acted as a sign that things were about to get better for a team that had suffered such a deep human tragedy.

There was still much to do, and the victory only papered over the clear cracks that had been exposed in the heavy 6-1 defeat to Serbia the month before. But this was a sign that there was hope for this generation of players, and also offered Coleman the opportunity to show that he could turn things around given the right amount of time and support.

#4 Doing things his way

Chris Coleman shares a joke with his appointed captain Ashley Williams

Succeeding Gary Speed following his death would be an incredibly difficult task for any manager, and with Wales making progress under Speed, it was only natural that Coleman would not want to make wholesale changes. As well as being considered disrespectful, it also seemed unnecessary, and with the players slowly adjusting to the tragedy bestowed upon them it was only felt right to maintain the status-quo.

But implementing the plans and philosophy of another proved difficult for Coleman, and as pressure mounted on him he realised that in order to keep what he described as his dream job he would need to do things his way. He made Ashley Williams captain instead of Aaron Ramsey and began changing the shape and formation of the side to bring the best out of the players at his disposal.

Ramsey had been a controversial choice when Gary Speed made him captain at the age of just 20 but saw him as the natural leader in his long-term plan. Like Speed, Ramsey was a talented footballer in the middle of midfield, but Coleman opted for experience by appointing Williams. Like Coleman, Williams was a central defender, and it was no coincidence that both managers saw a captain in their own vision.

Moving away from Speed's blueprint was difficult for Coleman, but it was necessary if he was to have any chance of taking Wales forward. The changes and the subsequent upturn in results helped bring further closure to the loss of Speed amongst the group and emphasised that this was very much the start of a new era for Wales.

#3 Belgium, Belgium, Belgium, Belgium and Belgium

Gareth Bale and Wales celebrate victory over Belgium at UEFA EURO 2016

Chris Coleman faced Belgium five times during his managerial career with Wales, and only experienced one defeat. In addition to two draws, two victories against one of the most talented collections of individual players in the world game proved to be two of the most memorable occasions of his tenure, with the latter taking Wales to the semi-finals of EURO 2016.

A frustrating start to Coleman's tenure saw Belgium claim a 2-0 win in Cardiff in the opening 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifier in Cardiff in September 2012. However, there would be signs of progress apparent a year later as a late equaliser from Aaron Ramsey earned Wales a point in Brussels in October 2013. Roll forward another year to the next qualifying campaign, and Wales would keep a clean sheet in a 0-0 draw.

Belgium then headed to Cardiff in June 2015 for what was now a key game at the top of the EURO 2016 qualifying group. A capacity crowd had bought into Wales' excellent start to the campaign, and there was a genuine excitement about what this team could achieve. Gareth Bale scored the only goal of the game to earn Wales an incredible victory and the greatest of Chris Coleman's career to date.

The two sides would meet again at the EURO 2016 finals in France as the teams were paired against each other at the quarter-final stage. Radja Nainggolan put Belgium ahead, but goals from Ashley Williams, Hal Robson-Kanu and Sam Vokes sealed one of the most famous victories in Welsh football history. The character of the side was never epitomised quite like it was that night in Lille.

#2 Celebrating defeat in Zenica

Chris Coleman and his players celebrate in Bosnia as Wales qualify for UEFA EURO 2016

Wales only lost one match in EURO 2016 qualifying, and it was a defeat that brought the biggest celebration. Although Wales suffered a 2-0 defeat, Cyprus claimed maximum points against Israel on the same night to confirm that Wales would qualify for the finals of a major tournament for the first time since the 1958 FIFA World Cup.

This was redemption for Coleman after a difficult start to his tenure, and the Football Association of Wales deserve credit for sticking with him through the dark times and showing the faith and support needed for him to see his project through to fruition. The result in Bosnia quickly became irrelevant as news filtered through of what his side had achieved.

Recently asked about his most memorable moment with Wales, Chris Coleman reflected back on that night in Zenica, and described the tears of joy that he saw in the faces of the fans that had followed his team across Europe from the very start. They had stuck with the players through the toughest times, and as a passionate fan himself, he appreciated just what it meant.

For Wales, it has always been about qualifying for a major tournament, and previous managers are remembered for narrow failures over the course of the last few decades. Coleman had achieved an incredible feat, and there was no prouder person than him to lead Wales into what would be the most incredible summer.

#1 Accepting the impossible job

The late, great Gary Speed

Of course, in order to achieve all that he achieved, it was necessary for Chris Coleman to accept the job in the first place. This was probably the most difficult decision of his entire time with Wales. A former team-mate and close friend Gary Speed had passed away and the circumstances of his appointment could not have been worse. But somebody had to take it on, and he understood what the job and the situation meant.

His genuine and honest character was never more apparent than at the press conference that confirmed his appointment in January 2012. He showed the necessary strength that everyone had been looking for since Speed's untimely death, and while it hurt him more than most, he would be the person to lead a mourning footballing nation through this tragic time.

The first year was a difficult introduction to international management. There was no instruction manual for dealing with a squad of young players working through the grief of losing their previous manager, and Coleman eventually realised that he would need to do things his own way in order for Wales to finally move on from Gary Speed.

The changes had a positive effect on the group, and supporters across the country began to buy into his ambitions. Coleman worked hard to change public opinion and travelled across Wales to hold question and answer sessions at different pubs and clubs. The charm offensive worked, and as results and performances improved, so did the crowds and the feel-good factor that proved so decisive in his incredible time with Wales.