Bellamy Nears Burnley Return as Head Coach
Craig Bellamy, the current manager of the Wales national football team, is reportedly engaged in advanced negotiations with Burnley to take over as their new head coach for the upcoming season. The Championship club has approached the Football Association of Wales (FAW) regarding Bellamy's potential appointment as Scott Parker's successor, with the 46-year-old now understood to be discussing contractual terms with Burnley.
While a definitive agreement has not yet been finalized, discussions have intensified over the past 48 hours, showing considerable progress. BBC Sport first indicated Bellamy as a strong candidate for the Burnley position following Parker's dismissal on April 30.
Shift in Preference for Bellamy
Initially, there were indications that Bellamy preferred to remain with the Welsh national side to lead them through the 2028 European Championships, which will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland. However, Bellamy is now seriously considering leaving the FAW to take on the role at Turf Moor.
Bellamy, a former winger for clubs like Manchester City, Liverpool, and West Ham, was appointed Wales manager in 2024. Under his leadership, Wales did not qualify for the 2026 World Cup, experiencing a penalty shootout defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Cardiff. His contract with Wales was initially set to run until 2028.
A move to Burnley would mark Bellamy's second tenure at the club. He previously served as assistant manager under Vincent Kompany before Kompany's move to Bayern Munich. Bellamy briefly held the position of acting head coach after Kompany's departure to the Bundesliga but left the club shortly thereafter.
FAW's Stance and Potential Successors
Sources suggest that Burnley is prepared to meet the compensation clause in Bellamy's contract with the FAW. His departure, however, would be a setback for the governing body, which had hoped he would stay after he expressed a preference to remain in his current role.
"Everything's in place, I get completely backed and it's going to give me the opportunity in the next two years to improve again," Bellamy stated on June 2, prior to Wales' 1-1 draw with Ghana. "Links? I understand it but I don't look too far. I love what I have here. I've been offered that elsewhere as well, but I have this here already. Wales gave me this opportunity and one or two might not have because I was conscious I haven't managed before. Wales have given me this opportunity and I'm really grateful for that. I am ambitious, trust me. I want to earn loads and loads of money but there's a time and now, at this present moment, it just doesn't feel that time."
Should Bellamy depart, former Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, and Swansea City manager Steve Cooper, along with ex-Wolves head coach Rob Edwards, are reportedly among the candidates being considered to succeed him for the Welsh national team. Cooper has been unattached since leaving Danish club Brondby earlier this year, while Edwards was dismissed by Wolves a few weeks after the conclusion of the 2025-26 season.
Source: BBC Sport