WALES need a win over the Republic of Ireland on Friday night to get their World Cup 2018 qualifying campaign back on track but the trip to Dublin will also be an emotional experience for manager Chris Coleman for other reasons.

Swansea-born Coleman won 32 caps for Wales as a player and made himself a national hero as he guided Gareth Bale and teammates to the semi-finals of Euro 2016 last summer.

But life could have turned out very differently if he’d accepted an invitation from Jack Charlton to represent the Irish in the early 1990s.

Coleman’s father Paddy was born and bred in Dublin, only moving to Swansea at the age of 20.

And, ahead of his return to Dublin this week, Coleman has revealed that he scattered his dad’s ashes on the River Liffey after he died aged 74 in 2014.

“He was born in East Wall in Dublin. He came to Wales when he was about 20,” said the Wales boss of his father.

“He was a huge football man, he loved football. He was a good parent, a great father. Like any normal parent. He was brilliant with me.

“I wouldn't have got to different levels I got to without his guidance. He was brilliant and fantastic.

“He always pushed me to play for Wales under-15s in my day,” he added.

“There was talk about when Jackie Charlton was manager of the Republic and they were going to the World Cup in America [in 1994] and there was a tentative phone call that came my way. But he was always Wales.”

Coleman senior requested that his ashes were to be scattered in the Liffey after his death, along with a rather expensive pint of Guinness.

“He lived in Swansea for 50 years, he still had his Dublin accent and never changed,” said Coleman.

“He passed away three years ago. Unfortunately for him it was going wrong for me with Wales so he never got to see us at the tournament.

"I used to take him back most summers for a few days,” he added.

“He would have a little roam around where he was brought up.

“He always said make sure you do it there. It was his request. The Guinness into the Liffey is a done thing there especially where he is from.

“You throw a pint of Guinness into the Liffey. It was eight euros a pint of Guinness!

“If I'm honest with you I did have a little drop first!

“His brother is an artist in Dublin in the Temple Bar area and I took my two sisters over and Charlotte [Coleman’s wife] came with me.

“We did it outside the Brazen Head pub next to the River Liffey, which is the oldest pub in Dublin.

“It dates back to 1198 and the history is incredible and unbelievable. I thought it was poignant.”

Asked if he’d be heading back to the spot this week, Coleman said: “No, it's not a friendly visit. I won't be thinking about anything else.

“But I will think about my father because it's his city and he would have wanted us to do well.

“I’ll have a pint after the game definitely, and that will be remembering him. But beforehand it will be business.”