Ex-Norwich City man Craig Bellamy named as Wales manager

The retired winger, who was assistant manager at City's Championship rivals Burnley, succeeded Rob Page and beat off competition from Thierry Henry and Georgia boss Will Sagnol to land the role. 

It is Bellamy's first management role after working as Vincent Kompany's deputy at both Anderlecht and Burnley. He missed out on the role in 2018 when Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs was appointed. 

“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 told the Wales FA channels. "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.”

Burnley moved to appoint one-time Norwich loanee Scott Parker as their new boss after Kompany joined Bayern Munich despite relegation from the Premier League last term. Bellamy had been serving as interim boss, but will now depart Turf Moor. 

Bellamy came through City's youth system during the 1990s and made 84 appearances for the club between '97 and 2000, scoring on 32 occasions. 

That spell at Carrow Road kickstarted a glistening career that saw him represent Newcastle United, Liverpool, Manchester City, Celtic and represent Wales 78 times as a player. 

Bellamy has always spoke glowingly about the role Norwich played in his development, and credits the Canaries with building the foundations that led to a hugely successful career. 

"I loved Norwich and will always be grateful to them for everything they did for me, everything they taught me and the patience they showed," he wrote in his book back in 2013. "I was schooled right in a terrific club and had terrific professionals around me. I would probably not have had such a good career if it had not been for that experience with Norwich.

Former Norwich City winger Craig Bellamy is set to become Wales boss. (Image: Newsquest)

"The club had been plunged into a financial crisis as they tried to adapt to no longer being in the Premier League and I would not have developed into the player I became if I had been stuck in the reserves at a club where it was impossible for a lad to force his way into the first team.

"The crowd took to me straightaway, this little lad playing in a kit that was three sizes too big for me.

"The reality was I played more games than my ability deserved. I found it difficult at times because I was fatigued playing twice a week. That meant my performances were inconsistent. I was still maturing, still growing, but I wasn't rested because we had a lack of players."