Former Manchester City and Liverpool attacker, Craig Bellamy, has been appointed manager of the Wales national team to replace predecessor Rob Page, signing a contract to see him at the helm until 2028.
Bellamy, who won 78 caps for the national team and was captain between 2007 and 2010, called the appointment an ultimate dream having missed out on the role back in 2018 to former team-mate and Manchester United legend, Ryan Giggs.
“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,” Bellamy said following the appointment which is his first time being the manager of a team.
“It was always my ultimate dream to become the (Wales) head coach and I am ready for the challenge,” Bellamy, who turns 45 on Saturday, July 13, added. Previously, he was an assistant to former City teammate Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and Burnley.
Kompany is now at Bayern having joined the German giant this summer, making room for Football Association Wales to make a move for Bellamy who, according to Chief Football Officer David Adams, emerged as the “standout candidate” for the role at this time.
Bellamy’s first match will be a home match against Turkey in Wales’ UEFA Nations League opener in September, followed by a trip to face Montenegro in Podgorica.
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