Wales' head coach Craig Bellamy marked two years in charge with a 2-1 defeat to Romania, capping a period of mixed fortunes.
Craig Bellamy took over as Wales manager in July 2024 following Robert Page's exit. His second year concluded with a 2-1 loss to Romania, bringing mixed results in his tenure so far. Wales earned promotion to Nations League A but suffered heartbreak in World Cup qualifying. The team now faces a three-month break after a disappointing friendly in Bucharest.
Bellamy has overseen 20 matches, winning eight (40%), drawing seven, and losing five. His win rate surpasses predecessor Robert Page's 33% but trails Gary Speed's and Ryan Giggs' 50%. Under Bellamy, Wales scored 34 goals at 1.7 per game and conceded 24. Connor Roberts, returning from injury, remarked: 'We're progressing and learning. We just have to sharpen up in areas and stay focused.'
Bellamy's start was strong; Wales went unbeaten in his first four games, including a 1-0 win over Montenegro in October 2024. The streak extended to nine matches before a 4-3 loss to Belgium in a World Cup qualifier in June 2025. Disappointment followed with a play-off semi-final penalty defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, ending hopes of consecutive World Cup appearances. Losses to Canada and England in friendlies added to concerns as Wales failed to beat a higher-ranked team under Bellamy.
David Brooks, after the Romania defeat, admitted: 'There's stuff to improve on, for sure.' He called the failure to qualify for the World Cup 'bitterly disappointing.' Connor Roberts echoed the sentiment, highlighting upcoming tough fixtures in Nations League A. Roberts noted: 'It's going to be tough.. but that's why you play football, to play against the best on the biggest stage.'
Wales' schedule intensifies with Nations League A matches against Portugal, Norway, and Denmark in late 2026. All three opponents are ranked higher by FIFA. Roberts acknowledged the challenge: 'Our group has got top, top teams in it, so it's going to be difficult.' Bellamy's team faces a rigorous test to maintain their position in the elite tier.
Bellamy has prioritized expanding and improving Wales' player pool, using 37 different players during his tenure. He handed debuts to seven players: Karl Darlow, Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio, Kai Andrews, Joel Colwill, Isaak Davies, and Cameron Congreve. The push for Euro 2028 has driven the need to integrate young talent for long-term strength. Bellamy's four-year contract is now halfway through, showing signs of progress.
Bellamy reflected on his two years in charge after the Romania loss, stating: 'We're definitely very different, two years older.' He acknowledged enjoyable moments but emphasized clear areas needing improvement. 'There's a lot of stuff I really like that we've been able to do,' he said. Bellamy remains committed to the role despite recent setbacks and club interest. He added: 'We need to be better in certain areas to compete with the top teams regularly.'