Wales boss Craig Bellamy determined to prove his doubters wrong

Craig Bellamy is determined to banish the general perception of him as he steps into his first senior management role with Wales.

Bellamy courted controversy on and off the pitch during a colourful playing career, with the former Wales captain seeming to get into as many scrapes as he scored Premier League goals for the likes of Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle.

But, just days away from his 45th birthday, Bellamy believes coaching experience at Anderlecht and Burnley has prepared him for a four-year Wales deal with the clear ambition of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup and Euro 2028.

"I understand the perception of me," Bellamy said when being unveiled to the media as Rob Page's successor.

"Lack of experience and temperament were thrown at me in the past. It will be important to dismiss those concerns in three or four years’ time.

"I put myself under more scrutiny that anyone. I am so determined to be the best human being I can be.

"That drives me – it’s so important to be the best I can be. I’m not the finished article and if I’ve made mistakes I have apologised and learned from them. I want to impact people’s lives in a positive way."

Bellamy cut his coaching teeth at the Cardiff academy before joining Vincent Kompany, first in Belgium and then at Burnley.

Two eventful campaigns at Turf Moor saw the Clarets romp to the Championship title with 101 points and then suffer relegation from the Premier League.

Burnley picked up only five wins and 24 points last season and Kompany headed to Bayern Munich in May.

Bellamy stayed at Burnley as interim manager and declined the opportunity to assist new boss Scott Parker as Wales came calling.

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