By Paul Jones
Craig Bellamy is expected to be named the new Wales manager on Tuesday.
It is understood that Bellamy will succeed Rob Page – who was sacked last month – after turning down the opportunity to stay at Burnley under new Clarets boss Scott Parker.
Bellamy, 44, is a former Wales skipper who won 78 caps for his country between 1998 and 2013.
The Football Association of Wales were open to the idea of appointing their first non-Welsh manager since 1999 after ending Page’s three-and-a-half-year reign in the wake of failing to qualify for Euro 2024.
Craig Bellamy is set to be named the new Wales manager.
BBC Sport Wales understands the final details of a deal are still to be agreed with both Bellamy and Burnley ⚽️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/dJNzASSqcB
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) July 8, 2024
Former France forward Thierry Henry and Georgia boss Willy Sagnol were among those linked with the position.
But it is understood that Bellamy – who just lost out on the job in 2017 when Ryan Giggs was appointed – impressed the FAW hierarchy when he was interviewed in the north of England last week.
Bellamy has spent the last two seasons at Burnley, where he worked as number two to Vincent Kompany.
He was put in interim charge after Kompany left for Bayern Munich in May and Parker said on Monday that he wanted the Welshman to stay on his coaching staff at Turf Moor.
https://twitter.com/WalesOnline/status/1810423747268022779
But Bellamy has decided to return home to Wales, with only a couple of minor points to be ironed out before the FAW announce his appointment on Tuesday.
Bellamy began his coaching career in the academy of hometown club Cardiff and served as Kompany’s assistant at Anderlecht and then Burnley.
Wales return to action on September 6 when their Nations League campaign gets under way against Turkey at home, with Iceland and Montenegro also featuring in the group.
Two weeks ago, the FAW detailed the criteria required to succeed Page after ending his three-and-a-half-year reign last month and invited “expressions of interest” from potential candidates.
https://twitter.com/welshfootie/status/1810419555191099682
Welsh football’s governing body confirmed it was looking for an individual with a “proven track record of delivering success at club and/or international level” and planned to cast its net far and wide.
“The FAW knows how important coach education is to growing the game in Wales and offers a world-renowned service through its coaching courses,” a statement read.
“The UEFA Pro-Licence is a pre-requisite for coaches at the top level of the game and this qualification will be required to become Cymru’s next head coach.
“The Pro-Licence prepares candidates to work as a modern-day manager or head coach at club or international level. It develops their leadership and interpersonal skills to successfully implement their unique management style and philosophy.”
With Craig Bellamy set to be named the new Wales manager, comment your thoughts! ⤵️#BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/dzWKsoQGRW
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) July 8, 2024
Read our most recent story on Thierry Henry.
The Va Va Voom for Thierry Henry May Not Prove A Smooth Road For Wales
Read our most recent story on Rob Page.