Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy are being considered to replace Rob Page as Wales manager, reports suggest.
Page, who led Wales for three-and-a-half years, guided the team to their first World Cup in 64 years and a last-16 finish at Euro 2020. However, a disappointing Euro 2024 qualification campaign placed him under immense pressure. Poor performances in friendly matches against Gibraltar and Slovakia further incited fans, leading many to call for action from the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
Following discussions after the recent international break, FAW officials decided a change was necessary.
Wales are now searching for a new manager to lead them into the upcoming Nations League campaign, starting in September with a home match against Turkey, followed by an away game against Montenegro.
According to The Times, former Wales wingers Ryan Giggs and Craig Bellamy are strong candidates. Both were interviewed for the role previously, with Manchester United legend Giggs ultimately securing the position over ex-Manchester City and Liverpool player Bellamy.
Giggs managed the national team for two years but was removed, initially temporarily and then permanently, replaced by Page after his arrest in November 2020 on charges of actual bodily harm and assault against his former partner and her sister. He was later acquitted of these charges. Giggs has recently returned to football in a director of football role at League Two club Salford City, which he co-owns with his former Manchester United teammates.
Bellamy is also being considered for the vacant Burnley manager’s position. The former Cardiff City player served as Vincent Kompany’s assistant at Turf Moor before Kompany’s move to Bayern Munich following Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League last season. Bellamy is currently the caretaker manager of Burnley as they search for Kompany’s permanent successor to lead them in the Championship next season.
Other potential candidates for the Wales manager role include Osian Roberts, Chris Coleman’s former assistant with the national team, who recently led Como to Serie A alongside Cesc Fabregas and was Patrick Vieira’s assistant at Crystal Palace.
Mark Hughes, another former Wales manager, has also been mentioned. He was recently sacked by League Two Bradford City. Additionally, Eric Ramsay, the former Manchester United and Wales assistant coach, who has recently taken his first head coach role with Minnesota United in the MLS, is in consideration.
