Does Bellamy need to win back Wales fans?

Craig Bellamy signed a four-year deal to replace Rob Page as Wales head coach in 2024 [Huw Evans Picture Agency] The challenge facing Wales is sizeable. Cristiano Ronaldo in Lisbon, Erling Haaland at home and a double-header with a Denmark side they have not beaten in 18 years as Wales return to Nations League A. But does head coach Craig Bellamy face his own challenge? Supporters were already smarting from missing out on the World Cup. Then their mood darkened further as it emerged Bellamy had held talks over becoming boss at Burnley. The 47-year-old admitted to a "sleepless night" when coming to a decision to either stay with Wales or succeed Scott Parker at Turf Moor, the club he had previously served as an assistant boss under Vincent Kompany. Bellamy said he went with his gut to turn down Burnley and that he had unfinished business with his national side. Nevertheless, some pundits have suggested the 78-cap former striker now needs to win back support after such speculation over his future. Bellamy suggested he did not know whether that is the situation he faces over the next three weeks - and beyond - after reiterating his ambition to lead Wales to a home Euro 2028. Even so, given that as a player Bellamy once had a legal tussle with his club in order to be available for his country, is it fair to question his commitment? Bellamy 'committed' to Wales after Burnley talks Rodon absent as Ashford earns first Wales call-up Bellamy: 'I made the decision to stay' 'I've proven my commitment over the years' - what Bellamy says Bellamy says he has a "gift" of not taking what people say to heart, but he will have heard queries over his commitment before. "I think with my body of work over the years, I don't think I need to say too much about that," he said, after announcing his squad for the first four games of the new Nations League campaign – the first international matches since the Burnley saga. "I think my commitment has always been there and I've proven that over the years. "I remember I had to go and get solicitors' letters from independent people because my club at the time were trying to tell me not to play [for Wales] and they would sue me if I did. I haven't seen anyone else do that." He is not wrong. There are other examples of Bellamy's commitment to Welsh football. He donated money to Wrexham when they were in financial difficulty during his playing days, while there have been claims that he has not claimed expenses from the Football Association of Wales (FAW) either as a Wales player or coach. "Wales is way more important to me," he said. "I don't believe I have to ever try to win anyone over with that." But has the Burnley episode changed that? Bellamy has denied that his decision not to join the club side was based on an issue with backroom staff. He says that instead it came down to what he felt was right, and that he left a lucrative offer on the table. He suspected that Burnley had expected him to take the job and felt there was surprise and disappointment when he said no. "I had a sleepless night because I knew it had become real," added Bellamy. "I have to be honest, I woke up in the morning and it wasn't there. I didn't have that feeling of going into a meeting and grabbing it. "You don't know until that moment comes, but to me, it has to mean the most to me." But is that enough for some? Or - as Bellamy himself has suggested - will it take a return to winning ways and putting World Cup disappointment to bed to fully draw a line under things? Craig Bellamy was a key player for Wales in some difficult times for the national side, scoring 19 times in 78 appearances [Huw Evans Picture Agency] 'A few wins and flirtations will be a distant memory' - a fan's verdict Ryan March, Wales regular and editor of fanzine Alternative Wales : "We obviously don't know what goes on behind closed doors - and if what is being reported is gospel, or what Bellamy himself says is fact. "So, it all depends on what or who you believe, but the fact is Craig Bellamy now has even more work to do to get the fans back on side. "We all saw that Bosnia-Herzegovina game as a huge missed opportunity [to reach a World Cup finals] and, for most of us, the blame lies at Craig Bellamy's door for his game management. "The summer's friendlies only added to that frustration as we lacked any sort of performance - and most fans were OK with the idea of him going to Burnley. "The only way Bellamy can truly win the fans back ahead of next year's Euro 2028 campaign is by winning games and [producing] good performances. That's the simple fact. "If we go and win a few of these Nations League games and stay in Group A, the flirtations with Burnley will be a distant memory." 'His commitment won't change' - a pundit's verdict Rob Earnshaw, former Wales striker and Match of the Day Wales pundit : "I'm glad that he's still here because I think he moves Wales forward if he's in charge. "There's always going to be Wales fans that are looking for the manager to impress them, looking for the manager to do more. "The only thing that I know he can control is if he wins games - and things will be better. So that's the aim, but that's going to be difficult with some big games coming up. "The only other thing that I can speak for, knowing and understanding Craig, is that his commitment won't change with Wales. "If we were talking about two clubs, maybe that would be different. But with Wales, the commitment doesn't change. "His drive to make the team better, make players better, trying to win us games, is going be the same - and that's going to be relentless.'