Bellamy was made to be a manager - Hughes

Mark Hughes (right) signed Craig Bellamy (left) while Manchester City manager in 2009 having previously worked with him at Blackburn Rovers and Wales

2026 World Cup qualifying: Wales v Kazakhstan

Venue: Cardiff City Stadium Date: Saturday, 22 March Kick-off: 19:45 GMT

Coverage: Watch on BBC One Wales, iPlayer, BBC Sport website and app, plus S4C via iPlayer. Text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app. Listen live on BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio 5 Sport Extra.

Wales and Manchester United legend Mark Hughes says Craig Bellamy's time as an outspoken player showed he had what was needed to become a managerial hit.

Bellamy, 45, is preparing to lead Wales into 2026 World Cup qualifying having enjoyed an unbeaten start to his time in charge of the national side.

Having replaced Rob Page last summer, the 78-cap former striker has impressed in the Wales head coach role - and hopes he has proven he is not the "lunatic" he was sometimes perceived as during his playing days.

Bellamy the player was often seen as a controversial figure during a combustible career, someone who rarely shied away from offering forthright opinions.

That created doubts for some over his potential to move into the dugout – but not for Hughes.

"He always had a view in the dressing room, as you could imagine," said Hughes, who managed Bellamy at Blackburn Rovers and Manchester City as well as with Wales.

"But it was always good insight - and when you were taking on board what he was saying, you realised he knew the game and what may have been going wrong in games.

"You knew then he could manage himself – and not a lot of players can do that. If you're able to do that, then it helps when you become a manager on the touchline."

As well as being his manager, Hughes was Bellamy's international team-mate.

The duo played together in a frontline when an 18-year-old Bellamy scored his first competitive Wales goal in a shock 2-1 win in Denmark in 1998.

But 'Sparky', as Hughes is known, was soon Bellamy's international boss.

He would later take him to Ewood Park and the Etihad as the pair struck up a successful working relationship.

Hughes, who is now managing League Two Carlisle United, has previously described Bellamy the player as misunderstood, but says his managerial qualities were easy to recognise.

"He was obsessive with the game, always going to matches, a real student. He was a deep-thinker about the sport and everything football involves," said Hughes, 61.

"He's probably a bit more fiery than me – I'm a bit more low key – but he loves Wales and I'm just pleased he's doing so well. He deserves this opportunity and is making the most of it. Wales are in a good place at the moment."

Energy and emotion

Hughes came close to leading Wales to Euro 2004 before a play-off defeat to Russia, Bellamy having played a key role in the campaign before injury ended his contribution.

A title-winner with United, 72-cap Hughes was lured into Premier League management with Rovers before spells with Manchester City, Fulham, Queens Park Rangers, Stoke City and Southampton.

He surprised many by dropping into League Two with Bradford City – and then turned heads again 16 months after being axed by the Bantams when he took on the task at bottom club Carlisle.

Hughes, who hopes to cross paths with Bellamy in order to wish him well, says his former charge is getting into an addictive business.

"The reality is you never retire from football – the game will retire you at some point but it hasn't done that to myself as yet," Hughes said.

"It's always the matchday that you miss. I can forgo all the rest of the management during the week and the problems you face, but I always miss matchday. It was always the thing that got me going as a player.

"While I still have opportunities to be in the game, I will always take them because I love the energy and the emotion that football gives me."