Former Norwich City attacker Craig Bellamy is set to be announced as the new Head Coach of the Welsh National Team, according to BBC Sport.
The ex-player retired from playing professionally in 2014, having spent the final two seasons of his career in his hometown for Cardiff City. Now, it seems as though he will return, this time to manage his national team.
Having begun his career at Carrow Road, the centre-forward quickly made a name for himself with his prolific record. With 30 goals in his first two full seasons playing for the Canaries, a then 20-year-old Bellamy earned a move into the top-flight with Coventry City.
After only a single season with the Sky Blues, the Welshman moved to the north-east to join Newcastle United, where he remained for the next four years. Having appeared for nine different sides, the 44-year-old earned himself a reputation as a journeyman.
Upon his retirement from playing, Bellamy stepped into coaching, beginning with a role at Cardiff before moving to Anderlecht to join former Manchester City teammate Vincent Kompany, whom he then followed to Burnley.
Although the Belgian is no longer at the Lancashire outfit, his assistant remained with the club, taking over in a caretaker capacity until Scott Parker was announced as the side’s new permanent Head Coach last week.
Parker was reportedly open to keeping the former Liverpool man at the club, however, it now looks as though that option is no longer going to be available as the Welsh FA look to announce the former international as their replacement for former boss Rob Page who was let go less than a month ago.
Bellamy will be bidding to hit the ground running as he looks set to be in charge for Wales’ first international break of the new season in September.
Writer’s View
Now seems the right time for the ex-Norwich and Blackburn Rovers star to take his first step into management having proved a key part of Kompany’s staff. Although Burnley were unable to stave off the embarrassment of relegation, the coaching staff were clearly highly respected, evidenced by the move that Kompany has been able to make this summer.
This is a loss to the Clarets though. With Parker coming in, a rebuild could be expected, and the Welshman could have provided a small sense of stability, yet with that likely to go, the job at Turf Moor could now look tougher.
