Congratulations Craig Bellamy. CONFIRMED AS NEW WALES MANAGER

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cek929j2xp1o

Craig Bellamy is set to be named the new Wales manager.

The 44-year-old has emerged as the Football Association of Wales (FAW's) first choice to replace Rob Page, who was sacked last month.

Bellamy is currently at Burnley, where he had been acting head coach before Scott Parker’s appointment last week.

Parker was keen to work with the Welshman, but it appears the former Wales captain is attracted to managing his country.

BBC Sport Wales understands the final details of a deal are still be agreed with both Bellamy and Burnley.

But an appointment is understood to be close, bringing an end the search to replace Page who was sacked in June after Wales failed to qualify for Euro 2024.

Bellamy has long stated his ambition to manage his country and met with senior FAW figures last week.

Arsenal legend Thierry Henry, Georgia boss Willy Sagnol and surprise contender Oxford United boss Des Buckingham were all spoken to about the post.

But Bellamy, who narrowly missed out to Ryan Giggs for job in 2018, is said to have impressed during discussions – and will now get the chance to lead the side in qualification for the 2026 World Cup.

His first game as Wales manager will be a Nations League home tie against Turkey on 6 September, followed by a trip to Montenegro on 9 September.

Bellamy made 78 appearances for Wales before retiring from international football in 2013, missing out on the chance to play in a major finals when Wales qualified under Chris Coleman two years later.

He took his first steps in coaching with Cardiff City’s academy before serving as assistant manager to former Manchester City team-mate Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and then Burnley.

Bellamy stood in when Kompany served a touchline ban last season and stepped up when the Belgian left for Bayern Munich in May.

But with Burnley opting for former Fulham and Bournemouth manager Parker for the permanent role, it opened the door for the FAW.

Bellamy now appears ready to return to Wales having ended his playing career with hometown club Cardiff City, helping them to promotion to the Premier League in 2014.

Having started his playing career at Norwich, Bellamy's playing career spanned many of the biggest clubs in British football, including Newcastle, Celtic, Manchester City and Liverpool, twice.

But even as a player he was keen to broaden his outlook beyond the domestic game and when coming through the professional ranks as a player, would regularly go to watch football on the continent.

While accruing plenty of international experience with Wales, Bellamy, who netted 19 goals for his country, was part of the Great Britain team at the 2012 Olympics.

Bellamy is seventh in both the all time list of Wales international goal scorers and cap holders, and was one vote shy from beating Giggs to succeed Coleman for the the national job.

He had previously helped coach Wales age-grade sides but, having turned down the chance to take his first steps into frontline management with Oxford in 2018, Bellamy’s breakthrough will now come at the highest level.

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Originally Posted by Father Dougal

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/cek929j2xp1o

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Good luck CB

All things considered this is an excellent appointment.
I wouldn't wanna be Scott Parker's no 2 either.
Good luck Bellers 👍

It's a good move for him, and he could move on to bigger things if he does well, so the incentive to succeed is there.

Seems like the best option (not like we had many), a bold choice but worth a go.

That'll be Isaak Davies getting a cap then

The fans will get behind him and we know he will give 100%

All down to him now whether he can control his aggression and negativity when the tough times come.

Surprised and pleased.
Either way, this should be interesting.

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Originally Posted by WJ99mobile

The fans will get behind him and we know he will give 100%

All down to him now whether he can control his aggression and negativity when the tough times come.

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Hope he doesn't! Let's have some fun!

great news for me, a proud welshman who wants the team to win

shame he didnt get the job instead of Giggs

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Originally Posted by Father Dougal

Hope he doesn't! Let's have some fun!

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:thumbup: indeed

will he bring I dutch ray ? ? ?

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Originally Posted by blue matt

will he bring I dutch ray ? ? ?

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Simon davies is his number 2.

1 cap in mid 90s. Played for Bangor city

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simo...er,_born_1974)

Well I think the majority of Welsh fans will get behind this appointment. A proper footballer with vast knowledge of the modern game and already some good coaching experience behind him with his roles at Anderlecht and Burnley.
A fresh start and new challenge for him as he has had some well publicised off field issues in the past but hopefully that all behind him now and he can get stuck into the role. Onwards and upwards. Good luck Bellars.

I hope he does well, I think he’s the right appointment.

Good luck Bellers, tough start with Turkey !!!!!

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Originally Posted by WJ99mobile

The fans will get behind him and we know he will give 100%

All down to him now whether he can control his aggression and negativity when the tough times come.

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Or his expectation levels of what the players can do. He'll have to work with what he's got, not what he thinks he can create.

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Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

Or his expectation levels of what the players can do. He'll have to work with what he's got, not what he thinks he can create.

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It’s a very good appointment, and I’d still like to see him involved with the City at some stage in the future
Good luck Bellers

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Originally Posted by Eric the Half a Bee

Or his expectation levels of what the players can do. He'll have to work with what he's got, not what he thinks he can create.

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Originally Posted by olderblue

It’s a very good appointment, and I’d still like to see him involved with the City at some stage in the future
Good luck Bellers

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Hopefully with Craig, it’ll be the end of the days of trying to put square pegs into round holes

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Originally Posted by WJ99mobile

The fans will get behind him and we know he will give 100%

All down to him now whether he can control his aggression and negativity when the tough times come.

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I appreciate that Page isn't the worse manager around but he is pretty poor. In that sense we've nothing much to lose by taking a risk on Bellamy. He will definitely return the feel good factor, at least in the short term, and will have the fans' backing. Then it's down to him. I think he'll do well.

Agreed, it is a good move for both parties, it's still a tough job we are in transition and don't have anywhere near the quality we had in 2016 our best days with a fit Bale and Ramsey, so we need to lower our expectations.

Lets give him some time to develop some players and stick with him, it's a pressure job but much less pressure than club Management, all the very best Bellamy, this is good news :thumbup:

Great news…hops at last.

My guess is that the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the appointment on here will be echoed throughout the country. Apart froim his temperament I suppose, it's hard to see any negatives to this appointment - best of luck to him and I think he'll do well.

Excellent news.

And 6 years on from losing out to Giggs I think he will have much more chance of success.

Hopefully good news for Cardiff City and Cardiff players too.

can see him focusing on youth, and maybe having a big bust up with some of the senior players.

so basically Toshack mark 2

Never seen Bellamy as management material and never really understood why anyone else does. Having said that, international management is obviously a very different job to club management. Perhaps it will suit him. Here’s hoping.

Bellamy ticks all the boxes football wise and commercially I imagine.

His appointment should enthuse some of the Welsh public and shift a few campaign tickets. Bellamy is prepared to work for the salary offered which in reality he could earn more elsewhere I imagine?

Football wise he comes across as very knowledgeable, he's a student of the game and he's gained experience by putting in the work as a coach. Tactically he has to be a step up from Page?

I'd like to see an older head, experienced coach with him as I wonder that if some players don't come up to his high standards in relation to effort, commitment and quality how he'll react. Some suggest he's mellowed with age, let's hope so as he's always been passionate which is a great quality but sometimes he appears a little bit combustible.

Bellamy will split players opinions, some will run through brick walls for him others might wilt? It's going to be interesting and I'm looking forward to it on the strength I've got campaign tickets on the instructions of my 11 year old.

Let's be fair his appointment is a lot more exciting than Des Buckingham, no offence Des.

The Football Association of Wales are delighted to announce the appointment of Craig Bellamy as the Cymru Men’s National Team Head Coach until 2028.

A UEFA Pro Licence holder through the FAW Coach Education system, Bellamy has been a coach since retiring from playing in 2014, most recently as acting Head Coach and Assistant Coach at Burnley in the English Premier League.

Prior to joining Burnley, Bellamy was the U21 Head Coach and Senior Team Assistant Coach for Anderlecht and also worked in the academy of his boyhood club Cardiff City.

As a player, Bellamy played more than 400 top flight matches and represented Cymru 78 times, captaining the side between 2007-2010.

On his appointment, Bellamy said: “It’s an incredible honour for me to be given the opportunity to lead my country and it’s the proudest moment of my career. It was always my ultimate dream to become the Cymru Head Coach and I am ready for the challenge.

“I will give my full commitment to develop this team and I am passionate to bring continued success into Welsh football. I can’t wait to get started with our Nations League games in September.”

The FAW’s Chief Football Officer, Dr. David Adams, said: “I am absolutely delighted to announce Craig as our new Head Coach. We undertook a thorough recruitment process for the new Men’s National Team Head Coach and Craig was identified as the standout candidate.

“We are all looking forward to the Nations League games and working with Craig to deliver success for Welsh Football.”

Bellamy’s first match in charge of the side will be on Friday, 6 September against Türkiye at the Cardiff City Stadium, where Cymru will begin their UEFA Nations League campaign.

And he's officially left Burnley:

Burnley Football Club can confirm that Craig Bellamy has left the club to become the new Wales manager.

Craig joined Burnley as Assistant Manager in 2022, helping us to promotion in his first season with the Clarets before more recently taking the role of acting Head Coach.

On leaving the club, Craig admitted it wasn’t easy to walk away.

“From the first moment I walked into the training ground at Burnley…I knew it was the right club for me and I have loved every moment since.

"The relationships I have with Alan, JJ and all the people at the club, in every department, made my time at Burnley special and leaving a truly difficult decision. But the chance to be the manager, of Wales, my country, has always been a dream that has never left me and a chance I just couldn’t turn down.

"I wish Scotty all the very best, he’s a good person and a close friend and the club is in great hands.

"To all the Burnley fans that made me feel so welcome – thank you and I’ll see you again soon! Belluz."

Chairman Alan Pace added Craig leaves with everyone at Burnley’s blessings.

“I want to thank Craig for all his hard work during his time at Burnley and wish him the best for his new position as Wales Manager.

“Craig has been a very important part of our wonderful journey the last two years. I’ve admired his leadership, knowledge and passion.

“I am certain that he will continue to find success in his new role, and I wish him the very best of luck.”

Will be interesting to see his first squad/starting 11 against Turkey.
Have they said how long the contract is? 4 years like Page?

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Originally Posted by Jordi Culé

Bellamy ticks all the boxes football wise and commercially I imagine.

His appointment should enthuse some of the Welsh public and shift a few campaign tickets. Bellamy is prepared to work for the salary offered which in reality he could earn more elsewhere I imagine?

Football wise he comes across as very knowledgeable, he's a student of the game and he's gained experience by putting in the work as a coach. Tactically he has to be a step up from Page?

I'd like to see an older head, experienced coach with him as I wonder that if some players don't come up to his high standards in relation to effort, commitment and quality how he'll react. Some suggest he's mellowed with age, let's hope so as he's always been passionate which is a great quality but sometimes he appears a little bit combustible.

Bellamy will split players opinions, some will run through brick walls for him others might wilt? It's going to be interesting and I'm looking forward to it on the strength I've got campaign tickets on the instructions of my 11 year old.

Let's be fair his appointment is a lot more exciting than Des Buckingham, no offence Des.

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Good point about an older head Bellamy could consult - I would have thought someone like Chris Coleman would be willing to do that on an informal basis.

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Originally Posted by Undercoverinwurzelland

Will be interesting to see his first squad/starting 11 against Turkey.
Have they said how long the contract is? 4 years like Page?

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Yes, he’s contracted until 2028.

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Yes, he’s contracted until 2028.

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👍

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Originally Posted by Jordi Culé

Bellamy ticks all the boxes football wise and commercially I imagine.

His appointment should enthuse some of the Welsh public and shift a few campaign tickets. Bellamy is prepared to work for the salary offered which in reality he could earn more elsewhere I imagine?

Football wise he comes across as very knowledgeable, he's a student of the game and he's gained experience by putting in the work as a coach. Tactically he has to be a step up from Page?

I'd like to see an older head, experienced coach with him as I wonder that if some players don't come up to his high standards in relation to effort, commitment and quality how he'll react. Some suggest he's mellowed with age, let's hope so as he's always been passionate which is a great quality but sometimes he appears a little bit combustible.

Bellamy will split players opinions, some will run through brick walls for him others might wilt? It's going to be interesting and I'm looking forward to it on the strength I've got campaign tickets on the instructions of my 11 year old.

Let's be fair his appointment is a lot more exciting than Des Buckingham, no offence Des.

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He's got to be on 25k a week for managing Wales. I'm not sure that he could command much more of a salary at this stage in his career. All guess work on my part mind

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Originally Posted by Michael Morris

And he's officially left Burnley:

Burnley Football Club can confirm that Craig Bellamy has left the club to become the new Wales manager.

Craig joined Burnley as Assistant Manager in 2022, helping us to promotion in his first season with the Clarets before more recently taking the role of acting Head Coach.

On leaving the club, Craig admitted it wasn’t easy to walk away.

“From the first moment I walked into the training ground at Burnley…I knew it was the right club for me and I have loved every moment since.

"The relationships I have with Alan, JJ and all the people at the club, in every department, made my time at Burnley special and leaving a truly difficult decision. But the chance to be the manager, of Wales, my country, has always been a dream that has never left me and a chance I just couldn’t turn down.

"I wish Scotty all the very best, he’s a good person and a close friend and the club is in great hands.

"To all the Burnley fans that made me feel so welcome – thank you and I’ll see you again soon! Belluz."

Chairman Alan Pace added Craig leaves with everyone at Burnley’s blessings.

“I want to thank Craig for all his hard work during his time at Burnley and wish him the best for his new position as Wales Manager.

“Craig has been a very important part of our wonderful journey the last two years. I’ve admired his leadership, knowledge and passion.

“I am certain that he will continue to find success in his new role, and I wish him the very best of luck.”

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I am happy with this appointment. As others have pointed out it's not the perfect choice, hopefully he has mellowed with the more experience he's had in coaching. I agree he has to be a step up tactically from Page as well.

Although the bit in bold is interesting, as some on here seemed to suggest he may not like working under Parker at Burnley, but I guess that doesnt matter now. Welcome "Belluz".

I have some enthusiasm back for watching Wales.

He's got a lot of work to do with that young squad.
I hope he gives them the time to develop, in the same way the FAW have given him the time.

They do like a former player as manager don't they - Bellamy, Page, Giggs, Coleman, Speed, Flynn, Toshack, Hughes - all former Wales internationals. You've got to go back to Bobby Gould and 1999 for the last Wales manager who wasn't a former Wales player.

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Originally Posted by WJ99mobile

All down to him now whether he can control his aggression and negativity when the tough times come.

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Yes, agreed. Hope he has a good therapist and good supports within the FAW. It's not going to be easy, at least initially.

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Originally Posted by Tuerto

He's got to be on 25k a week for managing Wales. I'm not sure that he could command much more of a salary at this stage in his career. All guess work on my part mind

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Page was on about 300k a year, Coleman and Giggs similar I believe. Imagine it's roughly the same for Bellamy

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Originally Posted by the other bob wilson

Good point about an older head Bellamy could consult - I would have thought someone like Chris Coleman would be willing to do that on an informal basis.

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I bet he would !
Thankfully Craig doesn’t suffer fools gladly (it gets him in trouble at times), and will not be having anything to do with Coleman!