Burnley enter advanced talks to appoint Wales manager Craig Bellamy
Burnley are in advanced negotiations to appoint Wales manager Craig Bellamy as their new head coach ahead of the upcoming Championship season.
The Lancashire side have formally approached the Football Association of Wales to secure a successor following the recent departure of Scott Parker.
Significant progress has been made over the past 48 hours, with the 46-year-old now understood to be discussing contractual terms.
Turf Moor return on the cards
Securing the vacant role would mark a second stint at the club for the former Manchester City and Liverpool forward.
He previously served as assistant manager under Vincent Kompany and briefly acted as interim boss when the Belgian departed for Bayern Munich.
Sources indicate the Clarets are fully prepared to activate the compensation clause embedded within his current international contract.
A shifting international stance
Initial indications suggested the highly-rated coach preferred to remain in his current post to lead his country towards the 2028 European Championships.
However, the Cardiff-born tactician is now giving serious consideration to a return to club management despite his strong ties to the national setup.
His international tenure recently suffered a setback when the Dragons failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup following a penalty shoot-out defeat against Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Unexpected blow for the FAW
Losing their head coach would represent a significant setback for the governing body, who believed they had secured his long-term commitment.
“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.”
Craig Bellamy
“Wales gave me this opportunity and I’m really grateful for that. I am ambitious, trust me, but there’s a time and now, at this present moment, it just doesn’t feel that time.”
Craig Bellamy
Should a departure be finalised, former Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper and ex-Wolves boss Rob Edwards have been identified as primary targets to take the national team forward.
