Craig Bellamy has been appointed as the new head coach of the Wales national football team, succeeding Rob Page. Bellamy, who has signed a four-year contract, is set to lead the national team he passionately represented, earning 78 caps between 1998 and 2013.
At 44 years old, Bellamy leaves his assistant manager position at Burnley to take on this new challenge, marking his first role as a permanent head coach of a senior team. His enthusiasm for the role is palpable. “I feel like every job I do is at the biggest club, the best club in the world,” Bellamy said. “This now is the best job in the world, Wales are the best footballing nation in the world. That’s how it feels to me.”
A Proud Welshman with a Deep Connection
Bellamy’s deep connection to Wales is evident in his commitment to understanding the history and culture of the teams he represents. “I need to know everything about it, the history,” Bellamy said. “Being home obviously gives me a head start because I grew up here. I’m from here, I need to know what’s gone on in Wales down the years and the history of Wales, how it has developed. That’s important to me.”
This attachment to his homeland became even clearer during his first press conference as Wales head coach. Bellamy shared that he initially thought he had put his Welsh connection aside, but soon realized “it was rooted in me and I didn’t know it was there.”
Conversations and Support
Bellamy discussed his new role with former Burnley head coach Vincent Kompany, who anticipated the move. “I’ve had a lot of messages, more than I anticipated,” Bellamy said. “I spoke to Vincent for about an hour, and he said something interesting, he said: ‘I knew this was the one job I could lose you to.'”
Kompany’s understanding underscores the magnetic pull the Wales job has for Bellamy, highlighting the significance of this role in his career.
Wales’ Recent Success
Since Bellamy’s retirement from international duty in 2013, Wales has enjoyed a period of unprecedented success. Under Chris Coleman, Wales reached the semi-finals of the 2016 European Championships and ended a 64-year wait to qualify for a World Cup. Although they were knocked out in the group stages of the World Cup and the last 16 of the 2020 European Championship, Wales has transformed into a nation that now expects to qualify for major tournaments.
Changing Dynamics and Crowds
Bellamy pointed out the changes in fan engagement and support that have significantly contributed to Wales’ recent successes. During his playing days, Wales often struggled to fill stadiums, even for high-profile matches. However, the move to the more intimate Cardiff City Stadium has resulted in consistently high attendance, creating a robust home advantage.
“We’ve had some big games, especially qualifying games,” Bellamy said. “During those games you always get a sense of where the crowd is at. Every game you get a certain period when you won’t be dominating. That period when your back is against the wall, that’s when you know you’ve got a crowd, because they see it as well. They got louder because they’ve seen those moments. That’s why I believe we qualified for major tournaments, because the supporters read the room and understood the players needed them.”
Future Aspirations
Bellamy’s appointment comes with great expectations. His tenure is anticipated to build on the foundations laid by his predecessors, aiming to achieve greater heights. Bellamy acknowledged the role of star players like Gareth Bale in transforming Welsh football and highlighted the importance of a supportive fan base.
Bellamy’s focus is clear: to continue Wales’ trajectory of success, leveraging his deep understanding of Welsh football culture and his meticulous approach to the game. “I am confident in our ability to achieve great things,” Bellamy asserted. “I’ve been here [with the national team] for 13 years wanting to achieve this. Now, it is our chance to create history.”
Conclusion
Craig Bellamy’s appointment as the head coach of the Wales national team marks the beginning of a new era. His passion, commitment, and deep connection to Welsh football make him a fitting leader to guide the team forward. As Bellamy embarks on this journey, the entire nation will be watching with high hopes and expectations, eager to see what the future holds for Welsh football under his stewardship.
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