In his brutally frank autobiography, “Goodfella”, written a decade ago towards the end of his playing career, Craig Bellamy gives a blunt account of his first impressions when he initially broke into the senior national squad. “When I first started playing for Wales, it often felt as if I had stumbled into a black comedy,” says the newly appointed Wales manager.

Craig Bellamy has welcomed his appointment as Wales manager by revealing the job is a dream fulfilled. Bellamy succeeds Rob Page – who was sacked last month – after turning down the opportunity to stay at Burnley under new manager Scott Parker. He has signed a contract until 2028.

Craig Bellamy is expected to be named the new Wales manager on Tuesday. It is understood that Bellamy will succeed Rob Page – who was sacked last month – after turning down the opportunity to stay at Burnley under new Clarets boss Scott Parker.

Former Swansea City head coach Russell Martin has backed Nathan Wood to thrive in the Premier League after signing him for Southampton for a cut-price £3m. The England Under-21 international has signed a four-year deal at St Mary’s and is reunited with Martin, who he played under at the Swans.

Osian Roberts has said, “Thanks . . . but no thanks” to Wales but has left the door open to one day becoming manager. The man who enjoyed hugged success as Chris Coleman’s assistant has ruled himself out of the running to become the next national manager..

Wales are willing to appoint a non-Welshman as manager for the first time in 25 years. The Football Association of Wales has detailed the criteria required to succeed Rob Page after ending his three-and-a-half-year reign last week and invited “expressions of interest” from potential candidates.

Thierry Henry once flogged Renault Clios by talking about “va va voom”. But now it’s Wales who want to add some glamour to a bog-standard banger with the suggestion they want him to manage a team stuck on the hard shoulder.

Osian Roberts heads the early betting as favourite to take over from Rob Page as Wales manager. Page was dismissed on Friday morning following the dismal friendly performances against Gibraltar and Slovakia, which intensified the pressure built by the failure to qualify for Euro 2024.

Wales have begun the search for a new manager after Rob Page was sacked.

With the European Championships looming, many England fans are feeling excited about the prospect of football “coming home”. However, those of us on the outside are obviously hopeful it will be business as usual. They will win one game, start playing Frank Skinner and David Baddiel re-runs, and eventually get knocked out soon afterwards.

Rob Page’s position as Wales manager is set to come under review after hugely disappointing friendlies against Gibraltar and Slovakia. Page was booed by Wales fans again following the 4-0 thrashing in Slovakia on Sunday and there were more calls for him to quit after Thursday’s embarrassing 0-0 draw with Gibraltar, opponents ranked 203rd in the world.

Rob Page will be keen to move on from the boos and jeers aimed at the Wales manager in his last match when his team face Slovakia on Sunday. The embattled Wales boss was the target for a small group of supporters who followed their team to Portugal in midweek to see them struggle in an acutely embarrassing 0-0 draw against Gibraltar. That result – even in a friendly – and adverse reaction has turned the pressure back on Page and prompted Welsh bookmakers DragonBet to offer close to even money odds on Page still being charge by September.