Former Celtic striker Craig Bellamy speaks after landing high-profile managerial role

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Former Celtic striker, Craig Bellamy, has landed a high-profile managerial role this morning.

Signed by Martin O’Neill in the 2005 January window, the deadline day Celtic capture enjoyed a successful period at the club after being frozen out of the Newcastle team after a public falling out with the then manager, Graeme Souness.

In fourteen appearances at the club, Bellamy scored seven goals which included the winner over Rangers in the 2-1 Ibrox Glasgow Derby win and the goal that took Celtic through to the Scottish Cup final that year in the 2-1 over Hearts in the semi.

The Welshman won the Scottish Cup that season before his loan spell ended and he moved to Blackburn the following season.

And now in coaching, Bellamy has landed a high-profile managerial position this morning.

Craig Bellamy named the new Wales boss

The Welsh FA have just named Bellamy their new national manager after Bob Page was sacked for failing to make Euro 2024.

And in a statement this morning, Bellamy said it was an ‘incredible honour’ to be given the chance to manage his country.

Bellamy said [Wales FA], “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. 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.”

A legend in Wales and a controversial figure at Celtic, Bellamy was capped 78 times for his country. After he retired from football, the former Liverpool and Man City man took up a coaching role at Cardiff FC’s academy on a voluntary basis.

In 2019 Bellamy was appointed Anderlecht’s U19 coach where he worked alongside Vincent Kompany. He followed the Belgian to Burnley in 2022 but didn’t name the switch to Bayern Munich with him this summer.

Now with Wales, Bellamy will be keen to reverse his country’s fortunes on the international stage and take them to another major international tournament.