Mark Hughes fears the strides forward he has taken with Wales will be undone by the appointment of the wrong man to succeed him.

Although results have gone by the wayside in the last 18 months it is generally agreed that Hughes has put Wales back on the football map and the departing boss hopes the good work can continue, hinting that John Toshack is not the man to do it.

Toshack angered sections of the Welsh squad with his critical comments made in the aftermath of Wales' defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday. It is believed some players would even turn their backs on international football if he gets the job.

Hughes said: "I have my own opinions of who should get the job but they will remain my own counsel. "I know who I don't want to see in charge but that's just my own opinion.

"I think that the FAW have to get the right man to be in charge and keep the backroom in place.

"A lot of things have been put in place that work. The quality of the people in the background is exceptional and I think it would be a mistake to make wholesale changes."

Hughes has come in for criticism in recent months over his tactics but although he has not managed to take Wales to the promised land of a major championships, he still views his tenure as national boss as a success.

He said: "My remit was to take Wales to a major championships and unfortunately we have not been able to do that. This could be viewed as a failure, but at the end of the day I still feel we have been able to raise the perception of Welsh football. Not just in this country but worldwide we are a well respected international side."

Hughes must take his charges into battle one last time tomorrow night against Poland at the Millennium Stadium.

And he knows the importance of leaving his successor with the hopes still alive of qualifying for Germany. He said: "I always thought that this game would be possibly the most important for us because Poland are our main rivals for second place. They are a strong, fit side and will be tough but it is vitally important that we get a win."