Former striker Craig Bellamy hired as Wales coach for his first role in senior management

Photo of Wales athlete Craig Bellamy. Source | Image Credit: Associated Press

Ex-Wales captain Craig Bellamy was appointed as the coach of the national team until 2028 this past Tuesday.

"I'm so proud and happy about yesterday. It was always what I wanted," said Bellamy, who stopped playing in 2014 and now looks back on his career with satisfaction.

Bellamy, a speedy forward who played for Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle, has recently been working as an assistant coach at Burnley in the Premier League. This will be his first job as a head coach.

He participated in 78 matches for Wales between 1998 and 2014, leading the team from 2007 to 2010.

Bellamy will make his debut as head coach against Turkey in the Nations League.

Wales has not had a coach since Robert Page left in June. He was let go because the team didn't make it to the European Championship.

Page successfully guided Wales to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, marking their first appearance in the tournament since 1958.