Football News Update: Wales Managerial Search, Euro 2024, Champions League, and More

Wales Managerial Search

Craig Bellamy is among the candidates being considered for the vacant Wales national team manager position, as the Football Association of Wales (FAW) evaluates its options after sacking Rob Page. Bellamy, who earned 78 caps for his country, has been placed in interim charge of relegated Burnley following Vincent Kompany’s departure to Bayern Munich.

Wales are in no rush to make a decision on their next manager, with their next round of matches scheduled for September, when they will face a Nations League double-header against Turkey at home and Montenegro away. The FAW hierarchy is reported to favor a young, high-profile candidate for the role. They have not appointed a non-Welshman to the position since Bobby Gould in 1995, but they are open to considering candidates from outside the country.

Ryan Giggs, who brought Page onto his coaching staff before stepping down in 2020 due to standing trial, is also said to be interested in returning to management. The 50-year-old is currently the director of football at Salford City, where he is a co-owner. Matty Jones, the Wales Under-21s manager, has also impressed in his role.

Giggs beat his former teammate Bellamy, 44, to the job in 2018, but Bellamy is thought to have impressed during the interview process and has since gained further experience, working with Kompany at Anderlecht and Burnley.

There is support in some quarters for Osian Roberts, who worked as an assistant manager to Chris Coleman at Euro 2016 and guided Como to Serie A as a caretaker manager last season. Roberts has also spent time as a technical director for Morocco and as an assistant to Patrick Vieira at Crystal Palace.

Vieira, currently the Strasbourg head coach, is among the long list of decorated former Premier League players to have completed their pro licence with the FAW. Mikel Arteta and Thierry Henry, currently the manager of France’s Olympic and Under-21 teams, are other notable graduates. Henry has previously been linked to the Wales job, but it is unclear if he is of interest or a viable target this time.

🔗 Source