Wales boss Bellamy in advanced talks over Burnley job
Wales manager Craig Bellamy is in advanced talks with Burnley to become their new head coach for next season. Talks have accelerated in the last 48 hours with significant progress, although a final agreement has not yet been reached.
Wales national team manager Craig Bellamy is in advanced discussions with Championship side Burnley over becoming their new head coach ahead of the upcoming season. The Clarets have approached the Football Association of Wales with a view to appointing Bellamy as Scott Parker's successor. The 46-year-old is now understood to be in contract negotiations with Burnley.
While a final deal has not yet been agreed, talks have accelerated over the past 48 hours with significant progress made. BBC Sport reported on 30 April that Bellamy was a leading contender to replace Parker after his sacking.
Initial indications were that Bellamy preferred to remain with Wales to lead them through a home nations European Championship in 2028. However, he is now giving serious consideration to leaving the FAW and is engaged in talks with Burnley.
The former Manchester City, Liverpool, and West Ham winger was appointed Wales boss in 2024. Wales failed to reach the 2026 World Cup, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina in a penalty shootout in Cardiff. Bellamy's contract was due to run until 2028, covering the European Championship to be held across England, Scotland, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.
Any move to Burnley would see Bellamy return to Turf Moor for a second time, having previously worked under Vincent Kompany as assistant manager before Kompany's move to Bayern Munich. Bellamy briefly served as acting head coach following Kompany's departure but left shortly thereafter. Sources have told BBC Sport that Burnley are willing to meet the compensation clause in Bellamy's contract with the FAW.
Bellamy's departure would be a blow to the FAW, which had hoped he would stay. "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 said before Wales' 1-1 draw with Ghana on 2 June. "Links? I understand it but I don't look too far. I love what I have here."
Potential successors if Bellamy leaves include former Nottingham Forest, Leicester City, and Swansea City boss Steve Cooper, as well as ex-Wolves head coach Rob Edwards. Cooper has been out of work since leaving Danish club Brondby earlier this year, while Edwards was sacked by Wolves a few weeks after the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
