Wales boss Bellamy in talks over Burnley job

Wales manager Craig Bellamy is in advanced talks with Burnley over becoming their new head coach ahead of next season.

The Clarets have approached the Football Association of Wales with a view to appointing Bellamy as Scott Parker’s successor, with the 46-year-old now understood to be in contract talks with the Championship side.

While a final agreement is yet to be reached, talks have accelerated in the last 48 hours with significant progress made.

BBC Sport revealed on 30 April that Bellamy was a leading contender to replace Parker after his sacking.

Initial indications were that Bellamy preferred to stay on with Wales to guide them through a home nations European Championships in 2028.

But Bellamy 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 during a penalty shoot-out defeat in Cardiff.

Bellamy’s contract had been due to see him through until 2028, including the European Championships being held across England, Scotland, Wales and 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 at the club before his move to Bayern Munich.

Bellamy was briefly named acting head coach following the Belgian’s move to the Bundesliga club , but he left shortly afterwards.

Cooper and Edwards among Wales targets

Sources have told BBC Sport that Burnley are willing to meet the compensation clause in Bellamy’s contract with the FAW.

But Bellamy’s departure would come as a blow to the governing body, who had been hopeful of the 46-year-old remaining at the helm after he indicated a preference to 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 his side’s 1-1 draw with Ghana in Cardiff on 2 June.

“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.”

Former Nottingham Forest, Leicester City and Swansea City boss Steve Cooper and ex-Wolves head coach Rob Edwards are among the contenders to succeed Bellamy should he depart.

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 conclusion of the 2025-26 campaign.