Craig Bellamy has been appointed as the new head coach of Wales on a four-year contract.
Wales parted company with manager Rob Page last month after failing to qualify for this summer’s European Championships having been defeated by Poland in a penalty shootout in the qualification play-off final in March.
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“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,” Bellamy said. “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.”
Bellamy, 44, was assistant coach to Vincent Kompany at Burnley and became acting head coach following the Belgian’s appointment at Bayern Munich. Scott Parker has subsequently been appointed Burnley head coach.
Bellamy’s first game as Wales manager will be a Nations League home tie against Turkey on September 6, followed by a trip to Montenegro on September 9.
The former striker scored 19 goals across 78 international appearances for Wales between 1998 and 2014.
Bellamy began his coaching career at Cardiff City’s academy before serving as assistant head coach to former Manchester City team-mate Kompany at Anderlecht and then Burnley.
Wales beat Ukraine in the play-offs to qualify for the 2022 World Cup — their first appearance at the competition since 1958 — and they exited the tournament at the group stage after taking one point from their three games.
(Steven Paston/PA Images via Getty Images)
