Craig Bellamy: Wales confident head coach will stay despite Burnley interest - BBC Sport

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Wales confident Bellamy will stay amid Burnley links

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Former captain Craig Bellamy won 78 caps for Wales, scoring 19 goals

By Dafydd Pritchard

BBC Sport Wales

Published 12 May 2026

Football Association of Wales (FAW) bosses are "very confident" Craig Bellamy will remain head coach of the men's national team despite interest from Burnley.

Bellamy is among the candidates for the managerial vacancy at Turf Moor after Scott Parker left by mutual consent following the Clarets' relegation from the Premier League.

It is a club Bellamy knows well, as the 46-year-old served as an assistant coach to now Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany when his former Manchester City team-mate was in charge of Burnley.

Although the Clarets have not made an official approach to the FAW, it is believed they have informally sounded Bellamy out about the possibility of taking over.

But following lengthy discussions with the ex-Wales captain, senior sources at the FAW have told BBC Sport Wales they are convinced he will stay until his contract expires in 2028.

One of the main reasons is Bellamy's desire to lead his country at Euro 2028, which Wales will co-host alongside England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland.

Burnley want Bellamy after announcing Parker exit

*   Published 30 April

Bellamy has enjoyed his time in charge of Wales, taking his first senior managerial job when he signed a four-year contract in July 2024.

He earned praise for a nine-game unbeaten start, guiding Wales to the top tier of the Nations League and instilling a bold and attacking new style of play.

But their 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign ended in failure, with two defeats against Belgium costing Wales automatic qualification, before they lost at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their play-off semi-final in March.

While Bellamy relishes his job, the former Liverpool and Manchester City forward has made no secret of the fact that he wants to manage at the highest level of club football.

The FAW is aware of interest in him from clubs other than Burnley but has some security in the form of a release clause which would require any potential suitor to pay at least £700,000 to buy Bellamy out of his contract.

Bellamy's former Liverpool team-mate Steven Gerrard has also been linked heavily with the Burnley post, while Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy is another potential contender.

Wales confident Bellamy will stay amid Burnley links

Craig Bellamy: Wales confident head coach will stay despite Burnley interest - BBC Sport

Wales confident Bellamy will stay amid Burnley links

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