WALES manager Chris Coleman says the pressure is all on Group B rivals England at Euro 2016, writes Andrew Penman.

Wales face the old enemy in Lens on June 16 when Coleman will pit his wits against old friend Roy Hodgson.

And the Wales boss, who signed a new two-year contract on Monday, believes the level of expectation will weigh much more heavily on Hodgson’s England than on his men.

“We are all in the same situation in that group, we need to do well in that first game,” he said.

“But England being England, the pressure is huge. They are expected to do well, they beat Germany in Germany and then wallop – they’re going to win the tournament!

“They lose to Holland and they’re this and that. They have all that pressure.

“For us the pressure comes from ourselves,” he added. “We have a chance, we fancy we can get out of the group and that is not being flippant or disrespectful. “Russia and Slovakia will think the same. Everyone fancies England but we all have a chance to progress and I think it’s pretty exciting.”

Wales face Sweden in a friendly on June 5 before their first group game against Slovakia on June 11.

That same night England kick off their Euro 2016 campaign against Russia before the Battle of Britain five days later.

But Coleman, who was a player under Hodgson at Blackburn Rovers in 1997, says the Three Lions manager has the experience to cope with the pressure.

“They'll be thinking quarter-final, semi-final. If he doesn't get there – and Roy's a realistic man – the pressure is going to be on him more than Russia, Slovakia and us,” he said.

“They've got strength in every department and there's great pressure on. But I think Roy's perfect for it, he's got the experience, his personality, he's calm and I think that will work well for the players.

“He's been to other tournaments and he knows what's coming. That will stand them in good stead.”

He added: “I know how Roy coaches and he hasn't really changed that for a long time. He's been successful in what he does. He's very methodical.

“But in terms of teams and formations he could come out with something a bit different.”