Craig Bellamy has revealed he would have resigned as Wales manager had he beaten Ryan Giggs to the role and failed to qualify for Euro 2020.

Giggs was appointed Wales boss on a four-year contract in January after being named as Chris Coleman’s successor.

Bellamy was interviewed for the post and told the Football Association of Wales he would have quit if had failed to lead Gareth Bale and company to a second successive European Championship in 2020.

Wales reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016 and Bellamy said: “I believe in this group and think they have got one or two tournaments in them.

“I would expect us to qualify for the next Euros. If I’d been in charge and we didn’t do that I would have walked.

“I said that (to the FAW) because that’s what I expect from this group - and that’s what I’d expect from myself.”

Bellamy is currently working at Cardiff’s academy having turned down the opportunity to become manager of Sky Bet League One side Oxford last season.

The former Liverpool and Manchester City striker has previously worked with Wales age-group sides and admits he is concerned by the long-term future of Welsh football.

“I’ve worked with Wales in the past and I was led to believe it was a pathway to go forward,” Bellamy said.

“It clearly wasn’t, but I’ve got to be fair to Cardiff now and that doesn’t mean working with Wales.

“I’m more concerned with the next generation than the current one. How do we get them to become successful because at younger age groups we’re nowhere near qualifying for major tournaments?

“That needs to be addressed, as does our identity to what the senior team plays like.

“We can build a structure but we must have a clear identity. We talk identity and we’re very good at lip service.

“But do we truly believe in it? I haven’t seen it and that needs to be hit home for us to have a future in the next 10 to 20 years.”

Wales - who failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia - return to action in September against the Republic of Ireland and Denmark in the inaugural UEFA Nations League.

Those games will mark Giggs’ first competitive matches after three friendlies in China and the United States.

“We have some very talented players and one or two good players coming through,” said Bellamy, speaking at a McDonald’s & FAW Community Football Day in Cardiff.

“The Euros were a great achievement, but like a lot of teams who haven’t qualified for a major tournament in a long time we got caught in the next one.

“I’ve seen it so many times that when teams go back into the next tournament they still have a hangover.

“We were playing catch-up and we just run out of steam in the end after going on a very good run.

“There is a lot of promise there, but what we have to do is work with the next generation to make sure they come through. They have to do that.”

l Craig Bellamy was speaking at the McDonald's & FAW Community Football Day in Cardiff. These football days are taking place across the UK this summer, giving thousands of children the chance to enjoy the beautiful game. mcdonalds.co.uk/communityfootballdays