Craig Bellamy
Craig Bellamy, the former assistant manager of Burnley and current Wales national team manager, has dismissed speculation linking him to the managerial vacancy at Turf Moor. Despite being the bookmakers’ favorite to succeed at Burnley, Bellamy has reiterated his commitment to leading Wales for the next two years, focusing on the upcoming challenges and opportunities with the national team.
Craig Bellamy said: “That was a new feeling and actually hurt more than I anticipated, but then suddenly family life doesn’t stop. The one-year-old is still up at six in the morning, it’s get up, get on with it. And actually you then start looking at parts of where can we improve? Can I improve? Do I see legs in both? And then I do and I see it and that’s the motivation. Then okay, let’s start looking at this, let’s start moving this, how can we progress this? This is nice because all I care about is improving and I was like this as a player. The moment I can’t improve, trust me, that’s when I stop. That’s what I see with this team, I see improvements. I feel this team can improve and I feel I can improve as well. So, yeah, that’s my motivation and that was my motivation soon after it as well.”
Craig Bellamy added: “Of course it is. It’s unique. Being a Welsh manager full stop, it’s unique, you’re part of a few. You know, people might say you’re born in Cardiff, I’m born in Wales. I’m born in Cardiff, I’m born in Wales and it’s always been the most important to me and I’ve always looked at it that way. So to be national team manager, and I’m sure like plenty of Welsh people also, but plenty of ex-players who have not been in this position would give anything to be in this position. The ones who have been in this position would want to be in this position again. It’s an amazing time and I don’t want to wish that away. The opportunity of having a home tournament, going to the Principality. I can only imagine what the streets would be like leading into it.”
Craig Bellamy continued: “Look, I miss it every day. I miss not being able to do this every single day, of course. The relationship I have with Noel [Mooney, FAW CEO] is really, really strong. We speak every day, so we never hide anything as well. He knows exactly how I feel. Any interest, he knows exactly first-hand. Is it going to have everything in place to allow me to be there? And at this present time, I have that here. Everything’s in place. The situation after that, we’ll see. I understand it, but I don’t look too far into it. That’s the honest truth. I love what I have here. I hope you’re reasonably happy with me and I hope fans are reasonably happy with me. I’m not going to please everyone. I’m not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. I do understand that. I’m never going to please everyone, but that’s the great part of the game. That’s the responsibility of when you do this as well, so I’m fully focused on the next two years.”
Craig Bellamy concluded: “I don’t need anything else. But I think four years is about right. I don’t think a manager should be longer than that in international football. It will be someone else’s turn in two years’ time. I’m not going anywhere, I’ve got another two years. I am ambitious though, trust me. I want to earn loads of money, but now is not that time.”
Bellamy’s commitment to Wales comes amid the backdrop of a potential home European Championship in 2028, which he views as a significant motivation to lead the national team to success. His strong relationship with the Football Association of Wales and the desire to see the team and himself improve are central to his decision to remain in his current role. With the focus firmly on the future, Bellamy aims to build on the progress made and prepare Wales for upcoming challenges.
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