Captain Aaron Ramsey is optimistic about the “exciting times ahead” for Wales with new head coach Craig Bellamy at the helm.
Wales announced the appointment of former striker Bellamy on a four-year contract in July, following the dismissal of Rob Page in June.
Ramsey, 33, who plays for Cardiff City, has shared the pitch with Bellamy both at the club level and for the national team, and he is confident that the ex-assistant coach for Burnley and Anderlecht will excel in his new position.
“I’m genuinely excited. I’ve known Craig for a long time and couldn’t be happier for him,” Ramsey expressed in an interview with BBC Sport Wales.
“I have no doubt he’ll be highly successful. If you examine the teams he’s previously worked with and their style of play – aggressive, pressing high, dominating the game – I believe Wales has a bright future ahead. We’re all hoping for thrilling times to come.”
Bellamy, who hails from Cardiff, earned 78 caps for Wales and captained the team from 2007 to 2010, a role that was taken over by Ramsey when he was just 20 years old.
Ashley Williams and Gareth Bale subsequently captained Wales before Ramsey once again took on the responsibility after Bale’s retirement in January 2023.
After retiring from international play in 2013, Bellamy began his coaching journey with Cardiff’s academy, closing out his playing career at the club in 2014.
The 45-year-old later worked as an assistant manager alongside his former Manchester City teammate Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and then Burnley.
After missing out to Ryan Giggs for the Wales managerial position in 2018, Bellamy will now have the opportunity to lead the team as they qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
His inaugural match as Wales’ manager will be a Nations League home game against Turkey on September 6, followed by an away match in Montenegro three days later.
