Craig Bellamy: Head coach ‘focused on Wales’ amid Celtic links – Noel Mooney

Bellamy, who began his coaching career at Cardiff City’s academy before working as Vincent Kompany’s assistant at Anderlecht and Burnley, has impressed in his first managerial role.

The 46-year-old made the best start of any Welsh manager after his appointment in July 2024, going nine games unbeaten and winning promotion to the top flight of the Nations League while implementing an adventurous new playing style.

The former Liverpool and Manchester City player is in the midst of the most testing period of his tenure to date, with Wales losing three of their past four matches in all competitions.

If Celtic were to waive Bellamy, they would have to pay what FAW sources described to BBC Sport Wales as a “substantial seven-figure” compensation fee, which would be higher if triggered before next year’s World Cup.

However, in terms of salary, Bellamy earns significantly less than some of the other candidates for the Celtic job – such as Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna – after taking a pay cut from his previous role as Burnley assistant coach.

“he [Bellamy] They will be linked to roles. “He is an exciting coach who has captured the imagination of a lot of people,” Mooney added.

“He will get stronger with Cymru and I am sure that after us he will continue to coach the best teams in the world. I have no doubt about that.

“But at the moment, we are fully focused on getting to the World Cup. All of us. We say ‘stronger together’ at FAW and Craig is at the heart of that.”

“As I said, our goal is to get six points in November, qualify for the play-offs, and then move on to the World Cup.”