Is it the Welsh manager or the Wales manager?

Answer 1

If the manager IS Welsh, then he or she is the Welsh manager.

For example, Tony Pulis is the Welsh manager of Stoke City's football team (2011). Pulis is Welsh but Stoke City is in England, not Wales.

Similarly, Fabio Capello is Italian and manages England's national football team (2011). So Capello is the Italian manager of the England team, not the English manager!

But the person who manages a 'Wales' team, department or regional office is the Wales manager, a title which would distinguish his/her role from that of the Scotland manager, the England manager, the Germany manager or the Europe manager. Capello is the England manager (2011), meaning he is the manager of England's national football team.

EXAMPLES

• 'John Toshack has stood down as Wales manager' -BBB news, 9 September 2010
• 'Lawrie Sanchez ready to apply for Wales manager job' -BBC news, 29 October 2010
• 'Fabio Capello's five biggest mistakes as England manager' -news headline, Telegraph, 9 February 2011

USAGE VARIATIONS

Although not strictly correct, expressions such as 'Welsh manager' are often used when what is really meant is the Wales manager.

For example, a February 9, 2011 headline says "Lars Lagerback Cut In Betting To Become Next Welsh Manager"

But immediately underneath, in the text of the news item, it explains "Lars Lagerback is the new favourite in the betting to become the next Wales Manager"

(Lars Lagerback is Swedish, by the way!)

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