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Burnley have been searching for a new manager since Scott Parker left by mutual consent in April, little more than a week after the club’s relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.
Former Liverpool forward Craig Bellamy quickly emerged as a leading candidate to replace Parker. According to BBC Sport, Bellamy is now in advanced talks with Burnley over becoming their new head coach ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Clarets have approached the Football Association of Wales regarding the appointment, with the 46-year-old understood to be in contract negotiations with the Championship club.
While a final agreement has yet to be reached, talks have accelerated over the past 48 hours, with significant progress made.
Bellamy had initially been expected to remain with Wales and lead the national team into Euro 2028, which will be hosted across England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland.
However, the former Manchester City, Liverpool and West Ham United forward is now seriously considering leaving his role with the FAW.Bellamy was appointed Wales manager in 2024, with his contract running until 2028.
A move to Burnley would mark a return to Turf Moor for Bellamy, who previously served as Vincent Kompany’s assistant before the Belgian departed for Bayern Munich in 2024.Bellamy was briefly placed in interim charge following Kompany’s departure but left the club shortly afterwards.
Burnley are prepared to trigger the compensation clause in Bellamy’s contract with the Football Association of Wales in order to secure his appointment.
However, Bellamy’s departure would come as a significant blow to the FAW, which had been hopeful of keeping him in charge after he previously indicated a desire to remain with the national team.
“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 earlier this month.
“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 boss Steve Cooper and former Wolves head coach Rob Edwards are among the candidates to replace Bellamy should he leave.
Cooper has been out of work since his departure from Danish side Brøndby earlier this year, while Edwards was dismissed by Wolves shortly after the conclusion of the 2025–26 season.