Paul Abbandonato

The 2026–27 season is portrayed as an unusually consequential one for Welsh football, with Cardiff City, Wrexham and Swansea City competing in the same Championship division for the first time in more than 30 years. Their six league meetings, alongside Newport County’s rebuilding effort, are expected to draw large crowds and intense national interest. Cardiff’s young squad, Wrexham’s ability to build on seventh place and Swansea’s attacking options are identified as major uncertainties. Wales manager Craig Bellamy also faces pressure after recent turmoil, a four-match winless run and the failure to qualify for the World Cup. With Euro 2028 being hosted on home soil and qualification beginning soon, the article argues that Wales cannot afford another failure.

Craig Bellamy’s decision to remain Wales manager after appearing set to join Burnley has surprised many supporters, some of whom reportedly wanted him to leave. The columnist argues that Bellamy deserves credit for an eight-win, 20-match record, Wales’ Nations League promotion and several impressive performances despite having fewer elite players than previous generations. However, recent failures against Bosnia-Herzegovina and in subsequent friendlies have damaged his standing, while his loyalty to Liam Cullen and Mark Harris and reluctance to use Rubin Colwill are criticized. Bellamy now needs to rebuild trust through results, beginning with a difficult Nations League campaign against Portugal, Norway and Denmark.

Craig Bellamy is expected to leave his role as Wales manager for Burnley after the club and the Football Association of Wales agreed a compensation package understood to be worth about £700,000. Bellamy, who has two years remaining on his Wales contract, is reportedly set to more than triple his salary by taking charge of the newly relegated Championship club, offering the day-to-day involvement he has lacked in international football. The FAW is expected to announce his departure jointly with Burnley and is considering Steve Cooper, Rob Edwards, Andrew Crofts, Eric Ramsay, Ryan Giggs, Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira and Marcel Desailly as possible replacements.

The Football Association of Wales is preparing a potential replacement shortlist because Craig Bellamy is considering an approach from Burnley, although the FAW would prefer him to stay ahead of Euro 2028. Candidates discussed include Rob Edwards, Andrew Crofts, Steve Cooper, Aaron Ramsey, Eric Ramsay, Thierry Henry, Ryan Giggs, Osian Roberts and Matthew Jones. The options range from continuity appointments and Welsh legends to prominent international names, with concerns including recent results, managerial experience, salary demands and fan reaction.

Burnley have made contact with the Football Association of Wales about appointing Craig Bellamy as their new manager after the club's relegation from the Premier League. The FAW says Bellamy remains under contract and that nothing is imminent, while preparing to resist any departure and potentially seek compensation of about £700,000. Bellamy is reportedly attracted by the prospect of a substantially higher salary and day-to-day club management, despite recently reaffirming his commitment to Wales. Burnley were impressed by Wales's early performances under him, though subsequent results have been weaker. Bellamy's future could be determined in the coming days, with Wales due to begin Nations League fixtures later in the year.

Burnley are preparing a renewed attempt to appoint Wales manager Craig Bellamy after bookmaker odds made him the clear favourite to replace Scott Parker. Bellamy remains contracted to the Football Association of Wales until after Euro 2028, but Burnley could reportedly triple his salary and would not be deterred by compensation of around £700,000. FAW chief executive Noel Mooney wants to retain Bellamy, whose Wales tenure has included promotion to the top tier of the UEFA Nations League and a near miss in World Cup qualifying, despite defeat to Bosnia and criticism of his team selections.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s major decisions helped Cardiff City secure promotion to the Championship with a club-record 91 points. He moved on from several experienced players, built the team around young academy talent, restored Ryan Wintle, managed senior players effectively, made Rubin Colwill a central figure, persevered with Cian Ashford and raised standards by dropping Callum Chambers. The column argues that this youth-led, energetic and attractive style represents a dramatic improvement on the previous season and gives Cardiff a stronger foundation for the Championship.

Cardiff City have returned to the Championship after a dramatic turnaround under Brian Barry-Murphy. The club’s previous ageing, one-dimensional squad was replaced by an energetic team built around young academy and emerging players, whose possession-based football delivered promotion and strengthened connections with supporters. Further reinforcements will be needed in two or three positions for the Championship, but Cardiff’s young foundation gives the club optimism for the future.

Cardiff City’s 0-0 draw with Blackpool prompted boos and highlighted a run of poor home performances, but the result still strengthened the club’s promotion prospects because Bolton and Bradford lost. Cardiff remain 11 points ahead of third-placed Bolton, with a favorable position and substantial credit from their strong early-season form. The young squad’s inconsistency is attributed to its age and inexperience, while the return of Yousef Salech could improve the attack. Drawing on Cardiff’s history of difficult promotion run-ins, the column argues that the team is still likely to earn automatic promotion and that the recent setbacks may help manager Brian Barry-Murphy identify which players can continue at Championship level.

Paul Abbandonato remembers Terry Yorath as a passionate yet modest manager who revitalised Wales and brought the team close to the 1994 World Cup. Yorath’s dismissal after the agonising defeat by Romania was criticised, and the resulting FAW turmoil contributed to years of instability. Abbandonato also recounts journalistic lessons from Yorath, including the need to warn contacts before publishing contentious stories. The column celebrates Yorath’s talented generation, featuring Ryan Giggs and Gary Speed, and concludes that Welsh football was stronger and more united whenever Yorath was involved.

Paul Abbandonato introduces his new book, In The Dragons’ Den, which recounts more than 30 years covering the Wales national football team. The book traces Welsh football from painful underachievement, financial constraints and the 1993 World Cup failure against Romania through the revival under managers including Mark Hughes, Gary Speed and Chris Coleman, culminating in the success of Euro 2016. It also covers prominent players such as Gareth Bale, Ryan Giggs and Aaron Ramsey, behind-the-scenes relationships, managerial upheavals and the author's personal experiences as a journalist. Published by Y Lolfa, the book is released on 17 October 2025.

Cardiff City’s relegation to League One has enabled manager Brian Barry-Murphy to build around an unusually young squad, with 10 players aged 23 or under starting against Peterborough United. The new high-tempo approach contrasts with the club’s previous reliance on experienced players and is praised as a long-overdue use of its academy talent. The young team will require patience and experienced additions because inconsistency is likely, but regular first-team football could accelerate the development of players such as Rubin Colwill, Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio, Isaak Davies and Cian Ashford. The central argument is that Cardiff must remain committed to this youth-focused direction even when short-term results deteriorate.

Wales’s qualification for UEFA Women’s Euro 2025 is presented as a potential turning point for women’s football and national sporting culture. FAW chief Noel Mooney expects the tournament to increase participation, attendances, commercial revenue and grassroots investment, building on the legacy of Wales’s men’s Euro 2016 campaign. Registered female participation has already risen from 7,000 to 20,000 in six years, while the FAW plans major facility upgrades and aims for full gender parity by 2050. Despite expecting to lose money directly on the tournament, the organization views investment in the women’s game as a long-term opportunity to grow Welsh football and challenge gender stereotypes.

Cardiff City’s appointment of Brian Barry-Murphy is presented as a timely chance to rebuild the club after years of unsuccessful short-term managerial decisions under Vincent Tan. His three-year contract and Manchester City academy background suggest board support for a long-term, youth-focused project. Barry-Murphy must improve standards, fitness and tempo while making young players central to the team, supported by experienced leaders in key positions. Although his relegation with Rochdale and association with Leicester City raise concerns, his development record and coaching pedigree are viewed as stronger indicators of his potential. The squad still needs restructuring, but the appointment could give Cardiff a more energetic and sustainable future in League One.

Cardiff City have offered Brian Barry-Murphy their managerial position, but the appointment is delayed because Leicester City must release him from his contract. Barry-Murphy, Ruud van Nistelrooy’s assistant, has reportedly accepted the offer and is attracted by Cardiff’s young squad and rebuilding project following relegation to League One. Cardiff previously considered Aaron Ramsey, Des Buckingham, Ian Evatt and Nathan Jones, while Plymouth are also interested in Barry-Murphy. The two clubs are negotiating his release before Cardiff can make the appointment official.

Graham Price reflects on the 50th anniversary of his remarkable 70-metre try for Wales against France in Paris on January 18, 1975. The score, accompanied by Nigel Starmer-Smith's famous commentary, helped define Price's legendary career and the reputation of Pontypool's front row alongside Bobby Windsor and Charlie Faulkner. Their physicality and consistency helped Wales win major honors during the 1970s, while Price went on to earn 41 Wales caps and set a record of 12 consecutive British and Irish Lions Test starts. The article also recalls the 25-10 victory, the trio's close bond and the lasting place of the try in Welsh rugby history.

A ranking of rugby's ten greatest teams places the 1971–74 British & Irish Lions first, ahead of New Zealand's 1987–90 World Cup-winning side and its 2011–15 back-to-back champions. South Africa's 2019–present team ranks fourth for its physicality, depth and three-point strategy, while Wales in the 1970s, England in 2003, Australia in 1984, South Africa in 1995–98, New Zealand in 1995–99 and France in 1987–94 complete the list. The ranking emphasizes dominance within each era, iconic players, entertainment value and major tournament achievements, while acknowledging that comparisons across amateur and professional rugby remain subjective.

Wales enter their autumn international opener against Fiji on a nine-match losing streak and at a record-low 11th in the world rankings. Former England scrum-half Danny Care warns that Fiji can produce either a world-class performance or a major upset, while arguing that Wales desperately need a victory before facing Australia and South Africa. He says Warren Gatland is having to rely on numerous youngsters after the departure of experienced leaders including Alun Wyn Jones and Dan Biggar, whose combined 285 Test caps are difficult to replace. Care also previews Australia’s tour, Ireland’s meeting with New Zealand, and Andy Farrell’s impending focus on coaching the British & Irish Lions.

Erol Bulut is under intense pressure after Cardiff City's worst start to a season in 35 years, with one point and one goal from their opening five matches. The team's cautious tactics, slow possession play, conservative selections and limited use of promising Academy players have frustrated supporters, while Cardiff's poor 2024 record has raised questions about Bulut's management of a talented squad. Despite retaining the board's backing, he is urged to adopt a more adventurous, faster and attacking style, introduce younger players such as Rubin Colwill, Cian Ashford and Michael Reindorf, and reverse the club's cycle of negative performances before his position becomes untenable.

The Principality Stadium, originally the Millennium Stadium, celebrates 25 years as a landmark venue that transformed Cardiff and Wales. The article recounts how plans for an out-of-town stadium near Bridgend were replaced by a city-centre redevelopment, how Russell Goodway and Glanmor Griffiths secured public funding and construction support, and how the project overcame major logistical and financial challenges. Its retractable roof, strong fan experience and adaptable infrastructure enabled it to host rugby, football, concerts and other events, generating substantial economic benefits and international visibility. Major highlights included FA Cup finals, the 2017 UEFA Champions League final and performances by leading global artists, with the venue continuing its role through future European Championship events and the planned Oasis reunion concerts.

Four Wales Online writers predict Swansea City will improve on the previous season’s 14th-place finish but remain outside the promotion play-off places, with projected finishes ranging from 11th to 15th. Zan Vipotnik is widely expected to become the club’s top scorer after the departures of Jerry Yates and Jamal Lowe, while Ronald, Matt Grimes and Josh Tymon are identified as potential star players. Gonçalo Franco, Josh Ginnelly, Filip Lissah and Ji-Sung Eom are highlighted as players to watch. The main concerns are a thin squad, insufficient attacking depth and the need for further transfer activity, although the writers generally expect Swansea to avoid relegation.

Wales Online writers predict Cardiff City will improve on their 12th-place finish in the 2023/24 Championship season, with forecasts ranging from ninth to pushing for the top six. Aaron Ramsey, Rubin Colwill, Chris Willock and Calum Chambers are highlighted as potential star performers, while Callum Robinson and new signing Wilfried Kanga are the leading candidates to finish as top scorer. The experts praise Cardiff's strengthened squad but consistently identify the need for a proven 15-goal-a-season striker, improved home form and a more adventurous approach from manager Erol Bulut.

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan is reportedly enthusiastic about the club’s prospects ahead of the 2024–25 Championship season and its 125th anniversary. Chief executive Ken Choo says Tan has backed summer signings and remains committed to the club’s long-term strategy. Cardiff has strengthened its squad, welcomed key players back from injury and seen a large group of academy prospects emerge. Investment in a new academy headquarters and a planned training ground, along with progress on legal disputes involving former officials and Emiliano Sala, is presented as giving the club more stable foundations for a potential promotion push.

New Wales manager Craig Bellamy outlines an ambitious vision for Welsh football during a public Q&A in Cardiff. He wants a young, energetic team built around high pressing, intense running, purposeful build-up play and strong sports-science support, drawing inspiration from South Korea's 2002 World Cup side, Newcastle and Brighton. Bellamy emphasizes his pride in Wales, his desire to honor Gary Speed's legacy, and his commitment to grassroots development through nationwide roadshows. He identifies Brennan Johnson as a key player and hopes Wales can qualify for and perform well at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.