Burnley are continuing to toil away in the search for a new managerial appointment in preparation for the 2026/27 Championship campaign after Scott Parker was relieved of his duties at Turf Moor.
A number of managers have been appointed to, and then fired, from the Clarets hotseat in recent times, with the club now searching for a third permanent hire inside just over four years following Sean Dyche's dismissal in early 2022.
Ex-Fulham and Bournemouth boss Parker took the reins in the summer of 2024 and guided Burnley back to the Premier League at the very first time of asking with a triple-figure points haul, only finishing as runners-up behind Leeds United owing to goal difference.
The Clarets' return to the promised land did not mirror the way in which Daniel Farke's side re-adapted to top-flight football, though, and they were ultimately relegated with a whimper after collecting just four victories and 22 points all season, with their dismal efforts even resulting in Parker's departure with four games still to spare.
Numerous names have since been linked to the vacancy at Burnley, which the club's key decision-makers will be hoping to fill sooner rather than later in a bid to head underway with preparing a charge for promotion. Steven Gerrard had been touted as a potential candidate alongside Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy, though no movement has occurred on these fronts.
Meanwhile, Craig Bellamy has also emerged among the leading candidates as the Clarets look to return the former Liverpool and Manchester City winger to East Lancashire two years on from his exit, having departed to take the top job with the Welsh national team in 2024.
Craig Bellamy drops Wales update amid Burnley links
Reports last month claimed that Bellamy, who enjoyed a successful stint at Turf Moor operating as Vincent Kompany's assistant when the side won the 2022/23 Championship title, had been sounded out internally over a potential return to the club.
Craig Bellamy - Wales
However, the FAW have maintained confidence over retaining Bellamy's position despite failing to qualify for the FIFA 2026 World Cup in North America this month, and now, for the first time, the 46-year-old has broken his own silence in a development which is poised to see Burnley set their sights elsewhere as a result.
Burnley's hopes have been hindered by the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland's successful bid to host EURO 2028, which, should qualification be achieved, will represent a monumental feat for Wales and Bellamy. His national team contract doesn't expire until 2028, either, and he's fully intent on leading Wales into a historic home nations' tournament that year.
Speaking ahead of Wales' friendly match at home to Ghana tomorrow evening, Bellamy described the "unique feeling" of managing his nation and outlined how excited he is about the prospect of taking the Red Dragons into EURO 2028 on home soil - putting any fears of his departure for Burnley to bed in the process.
"Of course it is, it's unique," Bellamy explained.
"Being a Welsh manager full stop, it's unique. You're part of a few and you know, as Welsh people ourselves, your country is the most important. It always has been, no matter what club I've been at.
"People might say 'you're born in Cardiff.' I'm born in Wales, I'm not not born in Cardiff. It's always been the most important to me, and I've always looked at it that way.
"So to be the national team manager, and I'm sure plenty of Welsh people and ex-players who have not been in this position would give anything to be in this position, and the ones who have would want to be in it again.
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"It's an amazing time and I don't want to wish that away.
"And then, the opportunity of having a home nations tournament, going to the Principality - I can only imagine what the streets will be like going into it - would you want to take it? Exactly!
"To us, I know you're going to ask questions but we know it. Hopefully I do a good enough job in these two years so that I'm not sacked and still able to do it!"
Burnley must look elsewhere after big Craig Bellamy update
Bellamy is rarely one to mince his words, and although he did not specifically mention Burnley, it's rather clear that he's not planning on going anywhere else.
Craig Bellamy Burnley
The job at Burnley is not without its merits either, and Bellamy himself will know that better than most, but while it's sure to be an attractive one for a host of potential candidates heading into the summer months, the Welshman is more-than-content in his current role and has the opportunity to make history in the coming years.
It's a development which may leave Burnley frustrated, with Bellamy's strong tactical acumen, man-management skills and own familiarity with the inner-workings at Turf Moor having emboldened him as an ideal candidate, though they will now need to dust themselves down and amplify efforts to convince other managers to take the job and direct a promotion push in 26/27 instead.