Craig Bellamy says Wales job is ‘best role in the world’ as he changes focus
Craig Bellamy insisted the Wales job was the “best role in the world” and he would refocus after suffering World Cup heartbreak.
Bellamy is nearly halfway through a four-year contract and his work with Wales has reportedly drawn plenty of club admirers, even though the Dragons’ hopes of a playing at a second-successive World Cup perished on penalties against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Thursday. The 46-year-old Wales manager has been regularly linked with former club Celtic, who have veteran boss Martin O’Neill in interim charge until the end of the season. “It’s always difficult after not achieving your objectives,” Bellamy said when asked about his future ahead of Tuesday’s friendly with Northern Ireland in Cardiff. “Next week’s empty because I was so looking forward to going to Salt Lake City (Wales’ planned World Cup training base in the United States). “The heartbreak was more than I anticipated, but to gain the energy, to refocus, to want go again, is definitely still there. It’s the best role in the world. “Nothing will ever compare to this, so why would I want to wish it away? I don’t know what more I can say other than I really enjoy doing this.” Bellamy admitted to feeling guilty after Wales missed out on the 48-team tournament in Canada, Mexico and the United States this summer. Football Association of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney said not reaching the World Cup would cost Welsh football 10 million euros (£8.7m). Bellamy said: “My concentration was more about the players I’m leading, but I’m fully aware of the infrastructure we have in Wales and how much it needs to improve. “We have taken big steps so far, but we need to keep improving. I’ve probably gone everywhere around Wales and seen it myself, so I do feel guilty. “I have to bring myself back into reality. It will be more intense, of course, but I have young kids and they will definitely pick me up. “Do you actually believe they care what happened? When you’re a five-year-old, you haven’t got a clue what happened. “It’s like ‘yeah, let’s start playing Barbie. Let’s get Belle out. Who’s the Beast? I’m the Beast, let’s go. Kids have a great way of being able to bring you back to reality.” There will be several changes on both sides from the play-off semi-finals as Wales and Northern Ireland – who lost 2-0 to Italy on Thursday – fulfil a fixture as UEFA rules mandate. Leicester midfielder Jordan James and Cardiff playmaker Rubin Colwill have returned to their respective clubs and Leeds winger Daniel James could also miss out. “We’ve got to start looking forward now because the simple fact is, we have a game,” said Bellamy. “We have to fulfil fixtures otherwise we get fined heavily. “It’s the same for Northern Ireland. We both have to pick ourselves up and move on.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub