Craig Bellamy has been confirmed as the new manager of Wales on a four-year contract.
Bellamy succeeds Rob Page, who was sacked in June after Wales’ failure to qualify for Euro 2024 was followed by a draw with Gibraltar and a 4-0 thrashing by Slovakia.
The 44-year-old had been in interim charge at Burnley, who appointed Scott Parker as their new boss last week. Parker wanted Bellamy to stay on at Turf Moor but the former Liverpool and Newcastle United forward jumped at the chance to manage Wales, for whom he made 78 appearances as a player.
He 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 Wales 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.”
Eiconig 🏴#TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/aIVhhhjkU2
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) July 9, 2024
Bellamy beat off competition from Thierry Henry, Georgia boss Willy Sagnol and Oxford United manager Des Buckingham to land the role.
The FAW’s chief football officer, Dr David Adams, said: “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 game in charge will be the Nations League clash with Turkey on September 6 followed by a trip to Montenegro three days later.
