Craig Bellamy has said that managing Wales has allowed him to 'calm down' as he prepares to lead his country in their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign. Wales host Kazakhstan in Cardiff on Saturday in their first qualifier, with Bellamy unbeaten since taking charge last July and having made the best start of any Wales manager.
The 45-year-old former Wales captain, who has spent five years coaching at Anderlecht and Burnley predominantly as an assistant, said the international role gives him more time to reflect. 'It allows me to look back, calm down, actually just go through how the week was, what could be improved,' he said. 'I haven't managed before... it's a really good environment in which to learn.'
Bellamy expressed excitement about the campaign after a four-month gap since Wales clinched promotion in the Nations League. He acknowledged the value of his squad's experience at the 2022 World Cup, where they finished bottom of their group without a win. 'Their calmness with it as well, they've been there,' he said. 'I expect expectations, I welcome them.'
Wales captain Ben Davies said the disappointment of the 2022 World Cup drives the squad. 'It is something that sticks with me and I'm sure it sticks with a lot of the guys,' the Tottenham defender said. 'We didn't really show how good we can be on the world stage and that hunger to go and do it again is definitely there.'
