Craig Bellamy is putting the summer's off-field distractions behind him as he prepares to lead Wales into a demanding Nations League fixture against Portugal at the Estadio Jose Alvalade. The clash marks his first match in charge since reports linked him with a move to Burnley, a saga that ultimately ended with the 48-year-old reaffirming his loyalty to his home nation.
With that chapter now closed, Bellamy insists his focus is purely on the task at hand: guiding Wales through a tough group in League A that also includes Denmark and Norway. Wales earned promotion to the top tier and Bellamy is eager to make the most of the opportunity.
"The Nations League is amazing. I love it," Bellamy said. "We got promoted, so we've earned the right to be here because that's how it works. If we finish third, we have a very good chance of going as the top 12 seeds into the Euro qualifiers, so that's a huge carrot for us."
The coach's continued presence at the helm has been welcomed within the Welsh camp, even if some players admit mixed feelings over the Burnley interest. Captain Ben Davies made clear the squad's stance on the matter. "Selfishly, I think as a squad we're very happy to keep him," Davies said.
Defender Connor Roberts, who played under Bellamy during his time at Burnley, offered a more nuanced perspective, acknowledging he would have relished working with his former boss again at club level. "Am I a little bit disappointed that he's not Burnley manager? I'd be lying if I said that I wasn't," Roberts told the BBC's Feast of Football podcast. He added that he remains pleased Bellamy continues to lead Wales, saying the manager "is going to continue to give us absolutely everything to produce and give us the best team that we possibly can."
Support for Bellamy has also come from the top of Welsh football's governing body. FAW chief executive Noel Mooney praised the manager's qualities, telling the BBC's The Phone In programme: "Craig is an outstanding coach, we're so delighted with the work he's done. He's the best I've come across, he's absolutely obsessed with the game."
Bellamy's challenge in Lisbon is compounded by a lengthy injury list. Harry Wilson, Karl Darlow, Joe Rodon, Dylan Lawlor and Nathan Broadhead are all sidelined for the current international window, ruling them out of all four fixtures rather than the usual two-game absence. Bellamy, however, sees this as a chance for lesser-known talents to step forward, stating Wales are "hoping to find another Harry Wilson after these four games."
Reflecting on his own playing career, Bellamy — capped 78 times for Wales but never able to reach a major tournament as a player — noted how far the national team has progressed, having qualified for three tournaments over the past decade. He is determined not to let standards slip.
"We're still finishing second in groups, we're now in our second time in Nations League A, so we still remain there," he explained. "My responsibility is to play a part in that. It's not just right now, it's to make sure that we remain healthy and keep trying to push — we don't dip and don't go out like sides that I played in where no one cared. We were out of the group before we knew it. There was no real interest. We just can't go back to that and we won't go back to it."
Wales now turn their attention fully to Portugal, aiming to start their League A campaign with a statement result against one of Europe's elite sides.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport Football.