With many new nations gaining independence following the breakups of the Soviet Union and Yugoslavia, Wales faced three opponents for the first time in qualifying for the 1996 European Championships, Georgia, Albania and Moldova, along with Bulgaria and Germany. Wales secured a 2–0 victory over Albania in their opening match, but suffered back-to-back defeats against the other two new sides, including a heavy 5–0 loss to Georgia. Two defeats to Bulgaria led to Smith coming under increasing pressure and, despite earning a point away to Germany in April 1995, his contract was terminated after a 1–0 loss to Georgia. His replacement was Bobby Gould, who secured a victory over Moldova in his first match before ending the campaign with a defeat to Germany and a draw with Georgia.