Stephen @StephenJBaker takes a look at the appointment of former captain Craig Bellamy and how fans should judge the next few months
A new era has begun in Cymru football. Craig Bellamy was announced as the new Cymru manager on the 9th July. This follows the sacking of Cymru’s most successful manager Rob Page in June.
Embed from Getty ImagesBefore we talk about the new man in charge, we should give a credit to Rob Page for the job he did. The Accidental Manager, who stepped in at short notice when the then current manager Ryan Giggs was suspended. Rob was never meant to be our manager at this point in his career but when we needed him he stepped up and got us through to Euro 2020.
Then the unthinkable happened, we qualified for the World Cup for the first time since 1958, something most of us thought would never happen in our lifetime. Now we didn’t set the world alight in those tournaments like we did in 2016, but we got that monkey off our back and finally got to another World Cup. The tail end of his time was met with a lot of criticism, but we shouldn’t forget that we were one penalty away from going to Germany. But all things must pass and it was time for both Rob Page and Cymru to move on.
Embed from Getty ImagesNow it’s time for a new man at the helm. If Craig Bellamy’s time as manager is as successful as his playing career, we are in for some fun times. Having started at Norwich City, he went on to play for Coventry, Newcastle, Celtic, Blackburn, Liverpool, West Ham, Manchester City and his home town club Cardiff City. But he will be remembered as a Cymru Legend for his 78 Caps and 19 Goals, goals such as the winner against Italy on that unforgettable night in Cardiff.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis managerial experience could be questioned with just the three jobs has a coach. Starting as Cardiff Player Development manager, then he joined Vincent Kompany as his assistant in Anderlecht and then Burnley. But what he lacks in experience he can’t be accused of lack of passion.
The passion he brought to every Cymru team he was involved in was evident to every member of Y Wal Goch watching from the stands, more so now with former team mates saying how passionate he was in training, even arguing with more experienced team mates because he felt they wasn’t giving 100% in training!
Embed from Getty ImagesY Wal Goch will always get behind the team but on September 6th the team needs us more than ever when Bellamy’s first match against Türkiye in Cardiff. It’s not just getting behind the team is needed, it’s giving him and his coaching staff time. His first six matches are in the Nations League and let’s be honest, as long as we don’t get relegated, we shouldn’t really judge him.
Embed from Getty ImagesHis four year contract takes him through qualifying for the next World Cup in America, Mexico and Canada (what a trip that would be) and Euro 2028 taking place here in the UK. Some might question the length of the contract but I think it’s worth the gamble tying him down, if we make the World Cup and he’s out of contract with Premier League clubs sniffing around, we will be back to square one. Also four years gives him time to plan, get whatever structure he has in mind to bed in.
Embed from Getty ImagesSo let’s get behind the young manager for the Nations League but more importantly give the 45 year old time if that doesn’t go to plan straight away. Remember we were a retaken free kick away from Chris Coleman getting the sack in the Euro 2016 qualifiers. From the interviews he has given the last few days he has been very impressive, hopefully the start of more good times, we’ve been to the mountain top and hopefully we will be back there soon.