Craig Bellamy is on the brink of leaving his post as Wales manager after Burnley agreed a compensation package to appoint him as their new boss. The Football Association of Wales (FAW) chief executive Noel Mooney has reluctantly accepted defeat in his efforts to retain Bellamy, who still has two years remaining on his contract.
Compensation Package Agreed
It is understood that Mooney has negotiated a maximum compensation fee of around £700,000 from Burnley. Final talks were taking place ahead of an expected joint announcement by the FAW and the Championship club. WalesOnline reported last week that Burnley had improved their offer for Bellamy, just days after he had pledged to lead Wales into Euro 2028 on home soil.
Bellamy is expected to more than triple his Wales salary by joining newly-relegated Burnley, making him the highest-paid manager in the Championship. The 46-year-old has become frustrated with the long gaps between international matches and has seen younger coaches land major club jobs, prompting concerns about missing future opportunities.
Bellamy's Dilemma
The prospect of leading Wales at the Principality Stadium during the Euros has tugged at Bellamy's emotions, but short of a dramatic last-minute U-turn, he is widely expected to head to Turf Moor. If he departs, attention will turn to his successor, with Wales needing to qualify for the UK-hosted tournament.
Early contenders discussed by FAW bosses include Steve Cooper, Rob Edwards, Bellamy's deputy Andrew Crofts, and former West Brom manager Eric Ramsay. Ramsay was the FAW's preferred candidate last time if Bellamy had declined the role to join Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich.
Potential Replacements
Mooney may push for a more high-profile candidate. Other figures under consideration include Ryan Giggs, who is keen to return and feels he has unfinished business with Wales, as well as French legends Thierry Henry, Patrick Vieira, and Marcel Desailly, who all took their coaching badges in Wales.
