fbpx
Connect with us

Burnley

Craig Bellamy speaks after leaving Burnley to take up the job as new Wales manager

Craig Bellamy speaks after leaving Burnley to take up the job as new Wales manager after the sacking of Rob Page last month.

Bellamy, 44, emerged as the Football Association of Wales (FAW’s) first choice and had been acting head coach prior to Scott Parker’s appointment last week.

Parker wanted to work with the Welshman, however it seems the former Wales captain was more attracted to managing his country, ready for the biggest test of his football career to date.

Bellamy has always expressed his desire and ambition to manage Wales, meeting with senior FAW figures last week.

He also just missed out to Ryan Giggs for the job in 2018, but this time around impressed enough during discussions and now hopes he can guide them to the 2026 World Cup.

WALES STATEMENT:

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.

BURNLEY STATEMENT:

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.”

Twitter users gave their reaction as Craig Bellamy speaks after leaving Burnley to take up the job as new Wales manager…

@JFishlock02: That’s no America 2026 then

@bobbankvillage: Good luck bellars, hopefully you’re given a good coaching team around you 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@ZCymru: Good luck Craig 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🤝

@blaine_llew: Don’t mind Bellamy, always talked us up during the prem days despite being a Cardiff boy so can’t see there being any bias there with selections. Tenfold better than page

@Bloovic: Pob lwc 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@PopeyeMcRoberts: Was really hoping we’d replace the coach we’ve had in charge for so long with an actual manager. Seems we’ve replaced him with another coach, and no doubt on the cheap. Underwhelming appointment.

@JSmed24: Looking forward 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@dezroberts1: Probably gone for one of the cheapest option, but get behind him now he’s in charge 🤌🤌 can’t be much worse than Page ball surely

@mjccfc: Just one look at the response off the Burnley fans (especially compared to that of Kompany) tells you more about the man and coach that he is now compared to years ago

@LiamRyan06: Really hope he succeeds, been brilliant the past couple seasons, can see that in the documentary and I’ve felt it the last few months of this season too. Put the club before his own name unlike VK too and deserves the move he’s gotten. All the best, you’ll always be a claret

@jackcarter22: think Bellamy is a great appointment. By far the best candidate when you look at the options available to us, wants to play football the right way, and standards will be higher than they’ve ever been.

@TurfMoorClarets: Congratulations and good luck with managing Wales! Thank you for what you have done for the club 👏 #twitterclarets

@DylanJones95: Let’s all get behind him now

@AdamJon21863866: No international tournaments for 10 years then

@Andrew_McVittie: If Bellamy is able to get the man management part of his job right, I think he will take Wales forward. He’s had a rough run personally – I genuinely hope this is the opportunity that allows him to turn the corner for good.

@keevs_89: One thing for sure is his commitment will be 110%. If it’s anything like he gave out on the pitch, we will be in for a good ride. #CroesoBellamy

@JDaneH94: Awful appointment.

@rhysward123: He could’ve gone to Bayern but Sparky said they’re shite, he come back home to Cymru cus we’re fucking dynamite

@_richosmond22: 4 years too late but all for it 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿❤️

@curtisevans02: Don’t want to hear any more club bias 💩 back him regardless if you like him or not when he’s managing your country. He will demand 100% from the players and he’s surely better than Rob Page. Let’s hope he puts Wales football back in business.

@TheHuddleYT: Congratulations Craig!!! Thank you for everything and good luck

@JoshCrook9: Happy with this, those down west writing him off already is fucking typical. Ffantastig 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@jhealey07: Wasn’t my ideal choice but I’ll give him time to see how he does 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

@Tomlawton17: Aww gutted on this but he can’t turn that opportunity down. Thanks for everything bellers!!

Related Topics
Click to comment

You must be logged in to post a comment Login

Leave a Reply

More in Burnley