Craig Bellamy has insisted he is approaching life – and international football management – with a clear philosophy: enjoy every moment.
As Wales prepare to face Belgium in a pivotal World Cup qualifier, Bellamy’s focus isn’t just on results but on providing a relaxed and happy environment.
“I’m here today, I’ll be gone tomorrow, so why not enjoy it?” he said, capturing the mindset that has defined his first year in charge of the national team.
That outlook has served him well. Since taking the reins last summer, Bellamy has guided Wales through an unbeaten run of nine games, recording five wins and four draws.
His side now sits on top of Group J, six points clear of Belgium, albeit having played two more matches.
The fixture in Brussels on Monday marks the end of his first 12 months in charge – a period he has described as transformational.
“I’ve actually just had the best year of my life. This has been the best,” he said.
Despite the challenge of facing a Belgium side ranked eighth in the world and stacked with elite talent, Bellamy insists he won’t let the fear of losing creep in.
“Do I live in fear of it? Not at all. I don’t live that way,” he said.
“I’ve had so many setbacks in my life, it’s OK. I’m still here.”
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A win would mark Wales’ first on Belgian soil and move them significantly closer to World Cup qualification, but Bellamy remains grounded.
“It would be a huge push (to win for qualification). But whatever it will be, it rolls on if we get beat.”
The spirit within the Welsh camp reflects Bellamy’s approach – committed, optimistic, and full of energy.
“This week’s been top. And it’s been top since I’ve just loved every moment because they train, they work, they show up, and to have that is amazing,” he said.
“Never once have I had to say, ‘that wasn’t good enough, no, we need to be sharper’. So they give you energy.”
Wales will be without Daniel James and Neco Williams due to illness and injury, respectively.
Bellamy, however, refuses to dwell on absentees.
“Dan just couldn’t recover from his illness… We’d love Neco, we’d have loved everyone, but we don’t have them,” he said.
“Of course we’d like them but they’re not going to be here. Let’s make sure they’re in a good position for when they come back.”
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Cardiff City defender Dylan Lawlor has been called up as cover.
Belgium, under new coach Rudi Garcia, are looking to bounce back from a slow start to their qualifying campaign and haven’t won in their last eight matches.
Still, Garcia remains bullish.
“No excuses,” he said. “We are going to beat Wales because we are a good team.”
But for Bellamy, the pressure isn’t the priority.
“Maybe I look too deep into stuff or maybe not. I try not to. But we’re here for a tiny, short time,” he said. “I’m here today, I’ll be gone tomorrow, so why not enjoy it?”
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Match facts
Belgium are unbeaten in eight previous home games against Wales in all competitions (five wins, three draws), only hosting Luxembourg more often (nine) without ever suffering defeat.
Wales are winless in their past four meetings with Belgium (two draws, two defeats), since a 3-1 win at Euro 2016 under Chris Coleman.
Belgium have lost two of their past three home games in all competitions (France and Italy), as many losses as they suffered across their previous 43 matches on home soil (33 wins, eight draws).
Wales are unbeaten in their past nine matches in all competitions (five wins, four draws) - only once in their history have they gone 10 without defeat, doing so between October 2001 and March 2003 (six wins, four draws).
Belgium are unbeaten in their past 41 qualifying matches (Euros and World Cup) since a 1-0 loss at Wales in June 2015 (35 wins, six draws). Among European nations, only Italy (56 between 2006 and 2017) and England (43 between 2009 and 2019) have had longer unbeaten runs in qualifying.
Belgium's Kevin De Bruyne has scored more goals against Wales (four) than he has against any other opponent in his international career.
Harry Wilson has scored five goals and assisted one in his past six appearances for Wales and is the nation's top scorer under Craig Bellamy.
Kieffer Moore - who scored against Liechtenstein on Friday - could make his 50th appearance for Wales in all competitions. He has scored twice in three games against Belgium, his joint-most goals against an opponent for his nation (also two against Finland and Gibraltar).
