Craig Bellamy to remain Wales manager as Burnley move collapses

Craig Bellamy will remain as Wales manager after his proposed move to Burnley collapsed. The Championship side had approached the Football Association of Wales to appoint Bellamy as Scott Parker's successor, but talks broke down.

The 46-year-old held discussions with the Lancashire club, but the deal fell through. The breakdown is not understood to be related to compensation for the FAW. Instead, negotiations over Bellamy's backroom staff joining him at Turf Moor are believed to have been a sticking point.

What happened

Bellamy was a coach under Vincent Kompany at Burnley between 2022 and 2024, and had a brief spell as caretaker manager. He was appointed Wales boss in 2024, succeeding Rob Page. His current contract runs until 2028, covering the European Championships hosted across England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.

• Bellamy won 78 caps for Wales as a player.
• He was appointed Wales manager in 2024.
• Wales failed to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, losing to Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties.
• Former Wolves boss Rob Edwards is now a leading contender for the Burnley job.

What's next

With the Burnley move off, Bellamy will continue his work with Wales, focusing on preparations for the 2028 European Championships. Burnley, meanwhile, are expected to pursue other candidates, with Rob Edwards remaining a strong option to take over at Turf Moor.