Rob Page
{{Short description|Welsh football manager and former international player}}
{{redirect|Robert Page (footballer)|other people with similar names|Robert Page (disambiguation){{!}}Robert Page}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Rob Page
| image = Wales National Team Manager - Robert Page Rheolwr Tîm Cenedlaethol Cymru - Robert Page (53289550078) (cropped).jpg
| caption = Page in 2023
| full_name = Robert John Page{{Hugman|15182|access-date=9 March 2017}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1974|9|3|df=y}}
| birth_place = Llwynypia, Wales{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=19 November 2022 |title='In my DNA' - Page and the valleys football factory |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/63460113 |access-date=20 November 2022 |work=BBC Sport}}
| height = {{height|ft=6|in=0}}{{Soccerbase|id=6068|name=Robert Page}}
| position = Defender
| currentclub =
| youthyears1 = 1985–1993
| youthclubs1 = Watford
| years1 = 1993–2001
| clubs1 = Watford
| caps1 = 215
| goals1 = 2
| years2 = 2001
| clubs2 = → Sheffield United (loan)
| caps2 = 3
| goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2001–2004
| clubs3 = Sheffield United
| caps3 = 104
| goals3 = 1
| years4 = 2004–2005
| clubs4 = Cardiff City
| caps4 = 9
| goals4 = 0
| years5 = 2005–2008
| clubs5 = Coventry City
| caps5 = 70
| goals5 = 1
| years6 = 2008
| clubs6 = Huddersfield Town
| caps6 = 18
| goals6 = 1
| years7 = 2008–2011
| clubs7 = Chesterfield
| caps7 = 56
| goals7 = 1
| totalcaps = 475
| totalgoals = 6
| nationalyears1 = 1991–1992
| nationalteam1 = Wales U18
| nationalcaps1 = 6
| nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 1994–1995
| nationalteam2 = Wales U21
| nationalcaps2 = 6
| nationalgoals2 = 0
| nationalyears3 = 1996–2005
| nationalteam3 = Wales
| nationalcaps3 = 41
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 1999
| nationalteam4 = Wales B
| nationalcaps4 = 1
| nationalgoals4 = 0
| manageryears1 = 2014–2016
| managerclubs1 = Port Vale
| manageryears2 = 2016–2017
| managerclubs2 = Northampton Town
| manageryears3 = 2017–2019
| managerclubs3 = Wales U21
| manageryears4 = 2020–2024
| managerclubs4 = Wales
}}
Robert John Page (born 3 September 1974) is a Welsh football manager and former player who was most recently the manager of the Wales national team. In an 18-year career in the Premier League and the English Football League, he made 550 competitive appearances for six different clubs. He captained a team and scored a goal in each of the top four divisions of English football.{{Cite news |date=9 July 2011 |title=Port Vale: Page eager to take first coaching steps |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Page-eager-coaching-steps/story-12914399-detail/story.html |access-date=9 July 2011 |work=The Sentinel}} He also gained 41 caps for Wales in a ten-year international career, captaining the side once, before he retired from international football in September 2006.
A defender, he began his career with Watford in 1993, whom he would captain to two promotions, winning the Second Division title in 1997–98 and the First Division play-off final in 1999. He went on to be voted the club's Player of the Season in their 1999–2000 FA Premier League campaign. He was sold to Sheffield United for a £350,000 fee in September 2001 and helped the club to reach the First Division play-off final in 2003, as well the semi-finals of the FA Cup and League Cup. He signed with Cardiff City in July 2004 before moving on to Coventry City in February 2005. He joined Huddersfield Town in January 2008 before moving on to Chesterfield in May 2008 and announcing his retirement in March 2011.
He worked as a coach at Port Vale for three years before he was appointed as manager, initially on a caretaker basis, in September 2014. In May 2016, he was appointed manager of Northampton Town on a three-year contract, but was sacked in January 2017. He was appointed Wales under-21 manager two months later before becoming assistant manager for the senior team, led by Ryan Giggs, in August 2019. He became the team's caretaker manager in November 2020, when Giggs was suspended from duty, and oversaw two victories in the UEFA Nations League that secured Wales promotion into League A. He coached Wales at UEFA Euro 2020, where they would reach the Round of 16. In June 2022, he led Wales to qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country's first World Cup appearance since 1958. He was sacked in June 2024 after a series of disappointing results.
Early life
Robert John Page was born in Llwynypia Hospital on 3 September 1974 and grew up in the nearby village of Tylorstown, Wales.{{Cite news |date=15 March 2017 |title=FAW / Rob Page in profile |url=https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/rob-page-profile/ |access-date=9 June 2022 |work=faw.cymru}}{{Cite news |last=Feringa |first=Megan |date=25 June 2021 |title=Pagey: You Can Take The Boy Out Of The Rhondda, But You Can't Take The Rhondda Out Of The Boy |url=https://welshfootballfans.com/eatsleepfootyrepeat/r26726hyjyncfmw2xp8yz4cgtbedd2-45654-w5wpk-frssf-ffcrc-kkp97-hnjtt-drwcy-c3rew-2z4eb-6gtz3-g4pls-saht2-mpyck-x7mtj-lhx7n-w9apa-ag5ts-kbs2k-hzj9s-tz6bf-zdwz4 |access-date=9 June 2022 |work=Welsh Football Fans}}
Playing career
=Watford=
Page started his professional career at Watford in 1993, having been with the club since 11.{{Cite web |title=Page Speech & Photos |url=http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/130508-robert-page-speech-gallery-814589.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305085910/http://www.watfordfc.com/news/article/130508-robert-page-speech-gallery-814589.aspx |archive-date=5 March 2016 |access-date=11 August 2015 |website=Watfordfc.com}} He established himself as a key member of the first-team under manager Kenny Jackett, playing 42 games in the 1996–97 campaign. His first major feat with the club came in the 1997–98 season when new manager Graham Taylor appointed Page as captain and led the "Hornets" to the Second Division title.{{Cite web |title=FAW / Rob Page in profile |url=https://www.faw.cymru/en/news/rob-page-profile/ |access-date=13 November 2020 |website=faw.cymru}} He made 49 appearances in league and cup competitions. He ensured the "Hornets" earned a vital point at second-place Bristol City in his final game of the season. Dropped at the start of the 1998–99 season in favour of Dean Yates, he soon was returned to the starting eleven alongside centre-back partner Steve Palmer. He made 42 First Division appearances to help Watford finish fifth-place. After defeating Birmingham City in the play-off semi-finals, Page marshalled the Watford defence to a clean sheet in the final, as Watford defeated Bolton Wanderers 2–0 to win a place in the Premier League. Page was named Watford's Player of the Season for the 1999–2000 campaign.
As expected, Watford were relegated at the end of their maiden season in the Premier League. However, Page did play in some memorable moments for the club, including a 1–0 victory over Liverpool at Anfield and another 1–0 victory over Chelsea at Vicarage Road.{{Cite news |date=18 September 1999 |title=Smart work sees off Chelsea |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/450996.stm |access-date=1 January 2016 |work=BBC Sport}} He also scored against Sheffield Wednesday to win the club a point at Hillsborough.{{Cite news |date=6 November 1999 |title=De Bilde saves Wednesday |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/fa_carling_premiership/507422.stm |access-date=1 January 2016 |work=BBC Sport}} Page was also voted Watford Player of the Season. He remained with Watford for the 2000–01 campaign, making 42 appearances in league and cup competitions. In May 2001, in one of his first acts as manager, Gianluca Vialli transfer listed Page,{{Cite news |date=22 May 2001 |title=Page on transfer list |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/wales/1344426.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} demanding a £1 million fee from prospective clubs.{{Cite news |date=31 May 2001 |title=Page anger at transfer fee |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/w/watford/1361825.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}}
=Sheffield United=
He was loaned out to First Division rivals Sheffield United in August 2001,{{Cite news |date=6 August 2001 |title=Page makes Blades switch |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/1476303.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} before moving to Bramall Lane permanently the next month for a £350,000 fee. He made 45 appearances for the club in the 2001–02 campaign. The next season he captained the "Blades" to a third-place finish. He played in the club's play-off semi-final victory over Nottingham Forest but was powerless to stop Wolverhampton Wanderers winning 3–0 in the final at the Millennium Stadium. He recovered from an ankle injury to make 35 appearances in 2003–04,{{Cite news |date=18 November 2003 |title=Injuries easing for Blades |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/sheff_utd/3280137.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} as United finish two points outside of the play-off zone.
=Cardiff City=
He moved to Championship rivals Cardiff City on a free transfer in July 2004.{{Cite news |date=2 July 2004 |title=Page seals Cardiff switch |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/3859231.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} Finding himself on the bench under manager Lennie Lawrence,{{Cite news |date=14 February 2005 |title=Page pledges to stay at Cardiff |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/cardiff_city/4264463.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} he left Ninian Park in February 2005 after making only nine appearances. His first-team opportunities were limited by the fine centre-back partnership of Danny Gabbidon and James Collins.
=Coventry City=
Coventry City manager Micky Adams signed Page in February 2005.{{Cite news |date=22 February 2005 |title=Page completes switch to Coventry |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/4284219.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} Page was soon struck down with a knee injury.{{Cite news |date=25 February 2005 |title=Page making slow injury recovery |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/4297471.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} In September 2005 he was handed a three-match suspension by The Football Association after fighting with Southampton defender Darren Powell.{{Cite news |date=30 September 2005 |title=Powell and Page handed FA charges |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/4298566.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} He made 34 appearances in the 2005–06 season, as Coventry finished mid-table in the Championship. At the end of the campaign, he underwent major hip surgery.{{Cite news |date=25 July 2006 |title=Page comeback in Coventry victory |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/5212606.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}}
Page signed an extended contract in September 2006,{{Cite news |date=12 September 2006 |title=Page extends Coventry contract |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/5338994.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} and was appointed as club captain in November,{{Cite news |date=8 November 2006 |title=Page named as Coventry captain |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/6130144.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} though his contribution was more limited in the 2006–07 season as he picked up ten bookings in his 29 league appearances. He also hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in January 2007, after he and vice-captain Michael Doyle injured each other after fighting each other on the club's training ground following a hard tackle from Doyle on Chris Birchall.{{Cite news |date=30 January 2007 |title=Sky Blues punish Page and Doyle |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/coventry_city/6314363.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |date=27 January 2007 |title=Saturday's football gossip |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/gossip_and_transfers/6304903.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |last=Fisher |first=Ben |date=8 June 2021 |title='A deep thinker': Robert Page, the accidental manager of Wales at Euro 2020 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2021/jun/08/a-deep-thinker-robert-page-accidental-manager-wales-euro-2020?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other |access-date=9 June 2021 |work=The Guardian}} Page was then frozen out of the first-team by new manager Iain Dowie.{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Jim |date=26 April 2013 |title=Robert Page Coventry City chapter was a good one |url=http://www.coventrytelegraph.net/sport/football/football-news/jim-brown-robert-page-coventry-3103201 |access-date=1 January 2016 |work=Coventry Telegraph}} After just two appearances in the first half of the 2007–08 season, he left the Ricoh Arena in the January transfer window.
=Huddersfield Town=
In January 2008, he joined Huddersfield Town in League One as manager Andy Ritchie wanted to add experience to his young defensive back line.{{Cite news |date=21 January 2008 |title=Huddersfield complete Page swoop |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/huddersfield_town/7200049.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} On 26 January, he made his Town debut in an FA Cup Fourth Round win at Oldham Athletic.{{Cite news |date=26 January 2008 |title=Oldham 0-1 Huddersfield |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/7197715.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} He made his Town league debut three days later in a 1–0 win over AFC Bournemouth at the Galpharm Stadium. In his four games for Huddersfield, the "Terriers" recorded four wins and four clean sheets. He scored his first goal for the club in their FA Cup defeat against Carlisle United at Brunton Park on 12 February 2008. Following Ritchie's departure as manager, caretaker manager Gerry Murphy made Page captain of the team until the end of the season, replacing previous captain Jon Worthington. New manager Stan Ternent entered negotiations to offer Page a new contract in the summer, but after Page left the club before a contract was offered Ternent told the press that "he's certainly replaceable".{{Cite news |last=Thomson |first=Doug |date=5 May 2008 |title=I'll replace Rob Page - Stan Ternent |url=http://www.examiner.co.uk/sport/football/news/ill-replace-rob-page---5037041 |access-date=11 August 2015 |work=Huddersfield Daily Examiner}}
=Chesterfield=
File:Page, Robert.jpg after a pre-season friendly in 2010]]
In May 2008, Page signed with League Two side Chesterfield.{{Cite news |date=5 May 2008 |title=Page agrees to Spireites switch |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/7383927.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} Manager Lee Richardson initially appointed Page as club captain,{{Cite news |date=9 July 2008 |title=Page named Chesterfield skipper |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/7497598.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} but after a string of poor performances and a red card at Dagenham & Redbridge,{{Cite news |date=13 September 2008 |title=Dag & Red 3-0 Chesterfield |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/7602063.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} Page was dropped from the squad and his captaincy was relinquished. By the end of the season he made just eighteen starts,{{Cite news |date=23 June 2009 |title=Page hoping for a 'clean slate' |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/8114386.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} and Richardson announced he was willing to listen to offers for the player.{{Cite news |date=19 February 2009 |title=Richardson open to offers for duo |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/7899204.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}}
In July 2009, Page was offered a player-coach role at Port Vale under Micky Adams,{{Cite news |date=1 July 2011 |title=Port Vale: Page set for Vale Park coaching role |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Port-Vale-Page-set-Vale-Park-coaching-role/story-12862173-detail/story.html |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=The Sentinel}} but he decided to stay at Chesterfield. Richardson was relieved of his duties in the summer of 2009, and his replacement, John Sheridan brought Ian Breckin to the club, who formed a strong early defensive partnership with Page. He played 42 games in the 2009–10 campaign. After an Achilles tendon injury limited Page to just two appearances in the 2010–11 season,{{Cite news |date=20 August 2010 |title=Chesterfield consider adding to defensive options |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/chesterfield/8931890.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} he was released by the club in March 2011.{{Cite web |date=23 March 2011 |title=Rob Page leaves the Spireites |url=http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/page/ClubAnnouncements/0,,10435~2311297,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905150722/http://www.chesterfield-fc.co.uk/page/ClubAnnouncements/0,,10435~2311297,00.html |archive-date=5 September 2012 |access-date=2 April 2011 |website=chesterfield-fc.co.uk}}
International career
Page represented Wales, gaining 41 caps, captaining the side once.{{Cite news |date=28 September 2006 |title=Page calls time on Wales career |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/5387936.stm |access-date=1 July 2011 |work=BBC Sport}} He said that captaining Wales to a 2–0 victory over Hungary in February 2005 was the proudest moment of his career.{{Cite news |last=Phillips |first=Terry |date=29 September 2006 |title=Page insists his retirement decision was for the right reasons. |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Page+insists+his+retirement+decision+was+for+the+right+reasons.-a0152173542 |access-date=13 May 2012 |work=South Wales Echo}} He retired from international football in September 2006, at the age of 32, citing a wish to see more of his young family. He decided to retire days after being recalled to the Wales squad by manager John Toshack for the Euro 2008 qualifiers.{{Cite news |last=Bloom |first=Mark |date=28 September 2006 |title=It's a new chapter in Page's international career with Wales. |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/It%27s+a+new+chapter+in+Page%27s+international+career+with+Wales.-a0152047436 |access-date=13 May 2012 |work=South Wales Echo}}
Management career
=Port Vale=
In July 2011, Micky Adams again offered Page a coaching role at League Two club Port Vale. Page accepted and was given a role in the club's youth set-up.{{Cite news |date=6 July 2011 |title=New Coaching Set-up |url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2387154,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110907083603/http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0%2C%2C10381~2387154%2C00.html |archive-date=7 September 2011 |access-date=6 July 2011 |work=port-vale.co.uk}} He was promoted to first-team coach in May 2012, following the retirement of Geoff Horsfield.{{Cite web |title=Page steps up |url=http://www.port-vale.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10381~2763802,00.html |access-date=8 May 2012 |website=port-vale.co.uk}} In October 2012, Page was named as the bookmaker's favourite to become the next AFC Wimbledon manager.{{Cite news |last=Murtagh |first=Jacob |date=8 October 2012 |title=Former Watford man emerges as shock favourite for Dons post |url=http://www.hounslowchronicle.co.uk/west-london-sport/afcwimbledon/2012/10/08/former-watford-man-emerges-as-shock-favourite-for-dons-post-109642-31992965/ |access-date=8 October 2012 |work=Hounslow Chronicle}} The job instead went to Neal Ardley.{{Cite news |date=10 October 2012 |title=AFC Wimbledon appoint Neal Ardley as new manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19898624 |access-date=10 October 2012 |work=BBC Sport}} In May 2013, Page was reported to be one of two names considered for the vacant management position at former club Sheffield United;{{Cite news |date=30 May 2013 |title=Sheffield United: Robert Page in contention for manager's job |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22723018 |access-date=30 May 2013 |work=BBC Sport}} However, David Weir was instead appointed as manager.{{Cite news |date=10 June 2013 |title=Sheffield United appoint Everton coach as boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/22843168 |access-date=10 June 2013 |work=BBC Sport}} At the end of the 2012–13 season Port Vale were promoted into League One. On 22 September 2013, Page was put in temporary charge of first-team affairs at Vale Park after Micky Adams decided to take time off work to have hip replacement surgery.{{Cite news |last=Baggaley |first=Mike |date=22 September 2013 |title=Vale boss Adams temporarily steps down from first-team duties |url=http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/Vale-boss-Adams-temporarily-steps-team-duties/story-19828804-detail/story.html#axzz2fNPmF6cX |access-date=22 September 2013 |work=The Sentinel}} In his first match in charge the "Valiants" recorded a 1–0 win over Tranmere Rovers at Prenton Park.{{Cite news |date=28 September 2013 |title=Tranmere 0 - 1 Port Vale |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24185162 |access-date=29 September 2013 |work=BBC Sport}}
He was promoted to the role of assistant manager in July 2014.{{Cite news |date=2 July 2014 |title=Port Vale sign Coventry City winger |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/28095935 |access-date=2 July 2014 |work=BBC Sport}} He was appointed caretaker manager following Adams' resignation on 18 September 2014 and was initially given "until the end of October" to prove his capabilities as manager.{{Cite news |date=19 September 2014 |title=Robert Page: Port Vale to give caretaker boss six-week chance |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29278354 |access-date=19 September 2014 |work=BBC Sport}} He won his first game in charge at Vale Park two days later after a late Mark Marshall goal gave the Vale a 2–1 victory over Barnsley.{{Cite news |date=20 September 2014 |title=Port Vale 2 - 1 Barnsley |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29187077 |access-date=20 September 2014 |work=BBC Sport}} He made his first two signings at the end of the month, bringing in defenders Stéphane Zubar and Reiss Greenidge on loan.{{Cite news |date=29 September 2014 |title=Stephane Zubar and Reiss Greenidge arrive on loan |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29414418 |access-date=1 October 2014 |work=BBC Sport}} In October he made his first permanent signing, bringing in free agent striker Dany N'Guessan on a two-month contract.{{Cite news |date=23 October 2014 |title=Port Vale sign striker on two-month contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29746979 |access-date=23 October 2014 |work=BBC Sport}} Having taken the club up seven league places within six weeks he was appointed as manager on a permanent basis on 29 October.{{Cite news |date=29 October 2014 |title=Port Vale appoint interim boss as manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/29824185 |access-date=29 October 2014 |work=BBC Sport}} He introduced a more possession-based style to the club, relying less on direct football.{{Cite news |date=7 January 2015 |title=Style of play is right up my street, says Louis Dodds |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Style-play-right-street-says-Louis/story-25813093-detail/story.html |access-date=7 January 2015 |work=The Sentinel}} He was nominated for the League One Manager of the Month award in February after overseeing a run of three successive clean sheet victories in the club's six games.{{Cite news |last=Sharpe |first=Rich |date=4 March 2015 |title=Rob Page nominated for League One manager of the month |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Rob-Page-nominated-League-manager-month/story-26116831-detail/story.html |access-date=4 March 2015 |work=The Sentinel}} Following this the club went on a run of just one win in eleven games, but still finished above the relegation zone.{{Cite news |date=1 May 2015 |title=Rob Page proud of first season in management |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Rob-Page-proud-season-management/story-26426731-detail/story.html |access-date=2 May 2015 |work=The Sentinel}} He signed a new two-year contract in May 2015.{{Cite news |date=6 May 2015 |title=Rob Page: Port Vale award new two-year contract to manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/32614794 |access-date=7 May 2015 |work=BBC Sport}}
Page needed to avoid a poor start to the 2015–16 season as chairman Norman Smurthwaite warned he was prepared to make "ruthless decisions" if the club were struggling by September.{{Cite news |date=6 May 2015 |title=Rob Page looks to build as chairman backs him at least until September |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Rob-Page-looks-build-chairman-backs/story-26443928-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150518232646/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Rob-Page-looks-build-chairman-backs/story-26443928-detail/story.html |archive-date=18 May 2015 |access-date=9 May 2015 |work=The Sentinel}} Page made nine new signings during pre-season – Sam Kelly, Sam Foley, Anthony Grant, Ben Purkiss, Remie Streete, A-Jay Leitch-Smith, Jak Alnwick, Uche Ikpeazu and Ryan Inniss – citing the need to sign players who "desire success".{{Cite news |date=7 August 2015 |title=Port Vale: Players must rise to challenge of competition - Page |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33819515 |access-date=7 August 2015 |work=BBC Sport}} He was nominated for the League One Manager of the Month award in November following a sequence of three wins out of four which moved Vale to the fringes of the promotion race.{{Cite news |date=9 December 2015 |title=Manager Rob Page nominated for November manager of the month award |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Manager-Rob-Page-nominated-November/story-28325935-detail/story.html |access-date=10 December 2015 |work=The Sentinel |archive-date=11 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211080630/http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Manager-Rob-Page-nominated-November/story-28325935-detail/story.html |url-status=dead }} However, a defeat to League Two side Exeter City in the Second Round of the FA Cup brought speculation over Page's future as manager.{{Cite news |date=7 December 2015 |title=Rob Page: Port Vale boss not fearing the sack after FA Cup exit |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/35027000 |access-date=8 December 2015 |work=BBC Sport}} He retained his position, however, and was named as Football League manager of the week after his side overcame a 2–0 half-time deficit to beat Peterborough United 3–2 on 12 March.{{Cite news |date=14 March 2016 |title=Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/march/sky-bet-football-league-team-of-the-week2/ |access-date=10 October 2019 |work=efl.com}} He led the club to a 12th-place finish he was linked with various management vacancies in the summer.{{Cite news |date=17 May 2016 |title=Rob Page: Port Vale midfielder Anthony Grant 'not surprised' at interest in manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36311507 |access-date=17 May 2016 |work=BBC Sport}}
=Northampton Town=
On 19 May 2016, Page joined Northampton Town as their new manager on a three-year contract; Northampton had just won promotion into League One as champions of League Two.{{Cite news |date=19 May 2016 |title=Rob Page: Northampton Town appoint Port Vale manager to replace Chris Wilder |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36332419 |access-date=19 May 2016 |work=BBC Sport}} He stated that he saw Northampton as "the next step for me and something I'm really looking forward to", and cited the positivity of chairman Kelvin Thomas as a major factor in his decision to join the club.{{Cite news |date=20 May 2016 |title=Rob Page: Northampton Town chairman key to him taking manager's job |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36341214 |access-date=20 May 2016 |work=BBC Sport}} The Cobblers went unbeaten in his first six games in charge and Page was named as EFL manager of the week after overseeing a 3–2 win over Milton Keynes Dons at Sixfields.{{Cite news |last=Hannah |first=Alex |date=5 September 2016 |title=Sky Bet EFL: Team of the Week |url=https://www.efl.com/news/2016/september/sky-bet-efl-team-of-the-week/ |access-date=9 October 2019 |work=efl.com}} The unbeaten run also included a penalty shoot-out victory over Premier League side West Bromwich Albion in the second round of the EFL Cup.{{Cite news |date=24 August 2016 |title=Rob Page: 'Nightmare' to watch Northampton Town penalty shootout |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37173938 |access-date=24 August 2016 |work=BBC Sport}} Northampton's reward for eliminating West Brom was a home tie with Manchester United.{{Cite news |date=24 August 2016 |title=EFL Cup: Northampton Town to host Manchester United in third round |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37178378 |access-date=24 August 2016 |work=BBC Sport}} However, he apologised for stating that it was "men against girls" after his side slumped to a ninth defeat in eleven games with a 5–0 defeat to Bristol Rovers on 7 January.{{Cite news |date=7 January 2017 |title=Rob Page: Northampton Town boss apologises for 'men against girls' comment |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38543295 |access-date=8 January 2017 |work=BBC Sport}} He was sacked two days later, with Northampton 16th in League One and eliminated from the FA Cup by non-League Stourbridge.{{Cite news |date=9 January 2017 |title=Rob Page: Northampton Town sack manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38555220 |access-date=9 January 2017 |work=BBC Sport}}
=Wales=
Page began coaching at Nottingham Forest in January 2017.{{Cite news |last=Baggaley |first=Mike |date=23 January 2017 |title=Former Port Vale boss Rob Page is coaching at Nottingham Forest |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/former-port-vale-boss-rob-page-is-coaching-at-nottingham-forest/story-30080619-detail/story.html |access-date=24 January 2017 |work=Stoke Sentinel}}{{Dead link|date=September 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He was appointed manager of the Wales under-21 team on 15 March 2017, signing a four-year deal.{{Cite news |date=15 March 2017 |title=Robert Page: Former Northampton Town boss named Wales Under-21 manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39278031 |access-date=16 March 2017 |work=BBC Sport}} He was also put in charge of the under-17 and under-19 teams, and stood down from his position as a coach at Nottingham Forest.{{Cite news |date=15 March 2017 |title=New U21 boss Robert Page wants players to choose Wales over England |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/39285713 |access-date=16 March 2017 |work=BBC Sport}} In August 2019, Page was appointed assistant coach to the senior Wales squad under manager Ryan Giggs, taking the place of Osian Roberts.{{Cite news |date=20 August 2019 |title=Robert Page joins Ryan Giggs' Wales staff as Paul Bodin named U21 boss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/49414473 |access-date=21 August 2019 |work=BBC Sport}} His organisational skills were credited with an improvement in the team's defence.{{Cite news |date=11 November 2020 |title=Hard as nails, big voice, big presence |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54872687 |access-date=13 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}}
Page became the caretaker manager of the Wales senior team on 3 November 2020, following Giggs's arrest.{{Cite news |date=3 November 2020 |title=Giggs will not take charge of Wales games |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54796224 |access-date=3 November 2020 |work=BBC Sport}} Page oversaw a 0–0 draw with the United States in a friendly, as well as UEFA Nations League wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland that secured Wales promotion out of League B as winners of Group 4.{{Cite news |date=19 November 2020 |title=Robert Page: Wales to 'carry on as normal' ahead of World Cup qualifying draw |url=https://www.bt.com/sport/news/2020/november/robert-page-wales-to-carry-on-as-normal-ahead-of-world-cup-qualifying-draw |access-date=19 November 2020 |work=BT.com}}{{Cite news |last=Mitchelmore |first=Ian |date=18 November 2020 |title=Wilson, James and Moore strikes ensure Wales win Nations League group |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/wales-finland-nations-league-scores-19302363 |access-date=19 November 2020 |work=WalesOnline}} With Giggs on extended leave, Page continued to deputise in his place for the three international games in March 2021.{{Cite news |date=10 March 2021 |title=Page stays Wales boss in Giggs' absence |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56343797 |access-date=10 March 2021 |work=BBC Sport}} After Giggs was charged with assault in April 2021, it was confirmed that Page would manage Wales at the delayed UEFA Euro 2020 finals.{{Cite news |date=23 April 2021 |title=Robert Page to take charge of Wales at Euro 2020 after Ryan Giggs charged with assault |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/56865553 |access-date=23 April 2021 |publisher=BBC Sport}} Wales qualified out of Group A in second-place with a 1–1 draw with Switzerland, 2–0 win over Turkey and 1–0 defeat to Italy.{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=12 June 2021 |title=Moore secures draw for Wales against Switzerland |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51197446 |access-date=21 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=16 June 2021 |title=Wales take huge step with Turkey win |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51197554 |access-date=21 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=20 June 2021 |title=Wales into last 16 despite Italy defeat |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51197631 |access-date=21 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport}} They went on to be eliminated at the Round of 16 stage following a 4–0 defeat to Denmark.{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=26 June 2021 |title=Wales out after Denmark thrashing |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51197369 |access-date=29 June 2021 |work=BBC Sport}}
File:2022 FIFA World Cup United States 1–1 Wales - (53) (cropped).jpg at the 2022 FIFA World Cup]]
For 2022 World Cup qualification, Wales were drawn in Group E with Belgium, Czech Republic, Belarus and Estonia with Page again acting as interim manager. Wales finished second in Group E and progressed to the qualification play-off stage.{{Cite web |date=16 November 2021 |title=Wales world Cup qualification playoffs |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/live/football/56118354 |website=BBC}} On 5 June 2022, Page led Wales to a 1–0 win over Ukraine in the European qualification play-off final, to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the country's first World Cup appearance since 1958.{{Cite web |date=5 June 2022 |title=Wales qualify for World Cup 2022 with playoff win over Ukraine – live reaction! |url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2022/jun/05/wales-ukraine-world-cup-2022-qualifying-playoff-final-live |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=The Guardian}} Fifteen days later, Giggs resigned ahead of his trial, making Page the permanent manager until the end of the World Cup.{{Cite news |date=20 June 2022 |title=Ryan Giggs: Ex-Manchester United winger resigns as Wales manager |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61868824 |access-date=4 September 2022 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |date=25 August 2022 |title=Robert Page: Wales manager set to sign new contract before 2022 World Cup in Qatar |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62333253 |access-date=4 September 2022 |work=BBC Sport}} In September 2022, Page signed a four-year contract with the Football Association of Wales.{{Cite news |date=12 September 2022 |title=Robert Page: Wales manager signs new contract before 2022 World Cup in Qatar |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/62679987 |access-date=17 September 2022 |work=BBC Sport}} Wales were eliminated from the World Cup in the group stage, having won just one point; they came from behind to earn a draw against the United States, before losing 2–0 to Iran and 3–0 to England. Page said that his team had failed to show their "true colours" in Qatar.{{Cite news |title=Rob Page: Wales haven't shown true colours |url=https://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/12758325/rob-page-wales-havent-shown-true-colours |access-date=30 November 2022 |work=Sky sports}}
Wales were relegated from League A at the end of the 2022–23 UEFA Nations League campaign as they finished behind the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland with one point gained from six games.{{Cite web |title=Groups {{!}} UEFA Nations League |url=https://www.uefa.com/uefanationsleague/standings/#grp-2009892 |access-date=27 March 2024 |website=UEFA |language=en}} They then finished third in their group for UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying, behind Turkey and Croatia, and were placed in Path A of the qualifying play-offs. A 4–1 victory over Finland in the semi-finals took them into the final at the Cardiff City Stadium.{{Cite web |title=Wales-Finland {{!}} European Qualifiers 2024 |url=https://www.uefa.com/european-qualifiers/match/2039646/ |access-date=27 March 2024 |website=UEFA |language=en}} However, they were eliminated after losing to Poland in a penalty shoot-out, which was the nation's first competitive penalty shoot-out.{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=26 March 2024 |title=Wales miss out on Euros after Poland shootout defeat |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68603221 |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=BBC Sport}}{{Cite news |date=26 March 2024 |title=Wales left to rue 'cruel' penalty shootout loss |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68665211 |access-date=27 March 2024 |work=BBC Sport}} He came under further pressure in June 2024 following a goalless draw with Gibraltar and heavy defeat to Slovakia.{{Cite news |last=Pritchard |first=Dafydd |date=9 June 2024 |title=Robert Page: Wales boss 'low' and facing uncertain future |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c7221zl45rwo |access-date=10 June 2024 |work=BBC Sport}} On 21 June, The FAW announced that Page's contract had been terminated.{{Cite web |last=Palmer |first=Melissa |date=21 June 2024 |title=Statement: Rob Page |url=https://faw.cymru/news/statement-rob-page/ |website=Faw.cymru}} Page later said it was hard to come to terms with his sacking.{{cite news |title=Robert Page: Wales sack 'hard to take' as ex-manager discusses future |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c8rd857zkn0o |access-date=11 October 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=11 October 2024}}
Style of management
Speaking in December 2015, Page described his preferred tactics as including attacking full-backs playing high up the pitch, a defensive midfielder allied to a more attacking central midfielder, and pace in the forward positions and on the wings.{{Cite news |date=1 December 2015 |title=Rob Page says Vale plan is taking shape |url=http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/Port-Vale-Rob-Page-says-Vale-plan-taking-shape/story-28269917-detail/story.html |access-date=1 December 2015 |work=The Sentinel}}
Career statistics
=Club playing statistics=
=International playing statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" | ||
| colspan="3"| Wales national team | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Apps | Goals |
| 1996 | 1 | 0 |
| 1997 | 5 | 0 |
| 1999 | 3 | 0 |
| 2000 | 7 | 0 |
| 2001 | 6 | 0 |
| 2002 | 4 | 0 |
| 2003 | 5 | 0 |
| 2004 | 4 | 0 |
| 2005 | 6 | 0 |
| Total{{Cite web |title=Robert Page |url=http://www.11v11.com/players/robert-page-548/ |access-date=7 August 2015 |website=11v11.com}}||41||0 |
=Managerial statistics=
{{updated|match played 9 June 2024}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Managerial record by team and tenure | ||||
| rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From !rowspan=2|To !colspan=5|Record !rowspan=2|{{abbr|Ref|Reference}} | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|P|Matches played}} | {{abbr|W|Matches won}} | {{abbr|D|Matches drawn}} | {{abbr|L|Matches lost}} | {{abbr|Win %|Win percentage}} |
| align=left|Port Vale
|align=left|18 September 2014 |align=left|19 May 2016 {{WDL|93|35|20|38|decimals=1}} | ||||
| align=left|Northampton Town
|align=left|19 May 2016 |align=left|9 January 2017 {{WDL|34|10|8|16|decimals=1}} | ||||
| align=left|Wales U21
|align=left|15 March 2017 |align=left|21 August 2019 {{WDL|15|5|5|5|decimals=1}} |{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} | ||||
| align=left|Wales
|align=left|3 November 2020{{Cite web |date=3 November 2020 |title=Ryan Giggs: Wales manager will not take charge of November games |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/54796224 |publisher=BBC Sport}} |align=left|21 June 2024 {{WDL|45|15|16|14|decimals=1}} |{{citation needed|date=June 2021}} | ||||
| colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|187|65|49|73|decimals=1}} ! |
Honours
Watford
Individual
References
{{reflist}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Wales squads
| bg = #D81E05
| fg = white
| bordercolor = green
| list1 =
{{Wales squad UEFA Euro 2020}}
{{Wales squad 2022 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| fg = navy
| list1 =
{{Watford F.C. Player of the Season}}
{{Watford F.C. Hall of Fame}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 =
{{Port Vale F.C. managers}}
{{Northampton Town F.C. managers}}
{{Wales national football team managers}}
}}
{{authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Page, Robert}}
Category:People from Llwynypia
Category:Footballers from Rhondda Cynon Taf
Category:Sportspeople from Tylorstown
Category:Welsh men's footballers
Category:Wales men's youth international footballers
Category:Wales men's under-21 international footballers
Category:Wales men's international footballers
Category:Wales men's B international footballers
Category:Sheffield United F.C. players
Category:Cardiff City F.C. players
Category:Coventry City F.C. players
Category:Huddersfield Town A.F.C. players
Category:Chesterfield F.C. players
Category:Men's association football central defenders
Category:Premier League players
Category:English Football League players
Category:Welsh football coaches
Category:Port Vale F.C. non-playing staff
Category:Nottingham Forest F.C. non-playing staff
Category:Welsh football managers
Category:Port Vale F.C. managers
Category:Northampton Town F.C. managers
Category:Wales national under-21 football team managers
Category:Wales national football team managers
Category:English Football League managers