Craig Bellamy’s latest press conference has only added fuel to the fire surrounding the Celtic managerial situation, as the Wales boss delivered a carefully worded update on his future.
Preparing for a morale-sapping friendly against Northern Ireland on Tuesday, this is the game that Bellamy didn’t want to play.
That’s because Wales and Bellamy are still reeling from the crushing heartbreak of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup this summer, which will be co-hosted by the United States of America, Mexico and Canada.
Bellamy now faces an agonisingly empty summer instead of a flight to Salt Lake City; the background noise linking the former Celtic forward to a possible Parkhead return is still hovering above Glasgow, and he told his press conference, ‘We will talk more after it.’
“It’s always difficult after not achieving your objective,” said Bellamy.
“I was so looking forward to going to Salt Lake City… The heartbreak was actually more than I anticipated. We will talk more after it, probably.”
He has seriously impressed in charge of Wales…
Celtic manager target Craig Bellamy responds to Wales future after failure to reach World Cup
Martin O’Neill is still running Celtic’s ship, and he is trying his utmost best to lay the best possible platform for the next one in the building.
Celtic fans are divided over Bellamy taking over, and rather than shutting down any talk of leaving his Wales role, he played it pretty cleverly in his pre-match press conference for the Northern Ireland game.
“It’s always difficult after not achieving your objective,” said Bellamy. “Like next week, it’s an empty week.
“I was so looking forward to going to Salt Lake City. I honestly believed that was happening. The heartbreak was actually more than I anticipated.
“But to gain the energy. To refocus and want to go again is definitely still there. I really enjoy this. We will talk more after it, probably.
“My mind is so focused on Northern Ireland at the present moment. Yeah, it’s the best role in the world.”
Bellamy is then asked to clarify his comments…
When pressed by another reporter on whether he was intentionally leaving the door open, Bellamy doubled down on how much he loves guiding his nation from the dugout, calling it ‘the best role in the world.’
However, crucially, the former Premier League hitman stopped short of explicitly stating he would still be in the dugout for the Euro 2028 campaign, which will be co-hosted by Wales, alongside England, the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Reporter: “Just to go back to your future, you sound or will sound to some supporters in that answer that you were choosing your words quite carefully.
“Is that because you are still thinking of things in your mind, or is it just expressing at the moment that you definitely want to carry on doing this?”
Bellamy: “I am not sure if me saying, ‘This is the best role in the world, and I don’t see myself going anywhere else.’ Maybe I didn’t quite say that, sorry.
“But maybe I could have put that across for you to explain. Honestly, this is the best. Nothing will ever compare to this, so why would I want to wish it away? I don’t.
“But also, is it the time? Do you understand what I mean? I don’t know what more I can say that I really enjoy doing this, and I still do.”
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