Celtic-linked Craig Bellamy’s long-term trajectory as Wales manager is under an interesting spotlight as the dust settles from their World Cup nightmare.
On Thursday evening, Wales failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup when they were beaten on penalties by Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Following the play-off heartbreak, questions are swirling around Bellamy’s next steps in the dugout, and the significant financial blow dealt to the Football Association of Wales (FAW), given their failure to reach world football’s biggest stage.
BBC Sport, led by Wales experts Dafydd Pritchard and Chris Wathan, wrote an interesting article regarding the aftermath of this defeat for the Welsh, with Celtic getting a mention.
Even though Bellamy is contracted until Euro 2028, those behind the scenes at the FAW ‘thought he might only stay for this World Cup campaign.’
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He has seriously impressed in charge of Wales…
Celtic-linked Craig Bellamy could leave if a ‘big club’ comes knocking
According to BBC Sport’s report dissecting the World Cup fallout, when Bellamy initially put pen to paper on his Wales contract, some people at the FAW always quietly expected his tenure to be a relatively short-term stay.
Given the former Premier League player’s high profile, intense ambition, and modern tactical approach, the association anticipated that a stint on the international stage would quickly attract the attention of major club sides looking for a rebuild.
Now, with the World Cup dream extinguished and the FAW facing a heavily tightened financial reality, that exact scenario is playing out, and that’s where Celtic enters the picture.
To balance this all out, it also needs to be mentioned that ‘Bellamy is desperate to lead Wales’ to Euro 2028, given that it will be played on British soil, ‘having privately told the FAW as much.’
But the FAW are ‘braced for offers’, and ‘things could change if a big club comes calling’, which does put the focus back onto Celtic.
Should Celtic push for Bellamy?
It does seem as though Bellamy doesn’t want to hear about outside interest, even if it is from Celtic, which is the way it should be because it showcases the man’s focus and determination on his current job.
But it does seem as though the FAW will need to have serious discussions if the champions of Scotland, for instance, come knocking for his services in the summer.
Whilst the Hoops need a fresh start, and regardless of how this current campaign ends, supporters are expecting the biggest clearout in recent modern history at Parkhead.
An individual of Bellamy’s calibre would fit the bill, but you sense it’s a little too early. This is his first foray into the big time, plus he hasn’t completed what he ultimately wanted to do: Guide Wales to a major tournament.
Perhaps the best scenario is for Bellamy to stay on at Wales, continue to grow, guide his nation to Euro 2028, and if Celtic are looking for another boss in a few years, then their former striker can be discussed.
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