Wales are facing a fresh fight to keep hold of Craig Bellamy, we have learned. WalesOnline understands the newly-relegated Clarets have stepped up their interest in asking Bellamy to lead the charge for an instant return to the Premier League.
Bellamy's Contract and Commitment
Bellamy is under contract with Wales until the end of Euro 2028 and recently committed his future to his country. However, his resolve is now set to be tested by the Burnley hierarchy. They would be able to triple his salary, on top of the opportunity of the glamour of taking a team into the Premier League.
Bookmakers' Favourite
It comes as bookmakers suddenly installed the Welsh legend as red-hot favourite to become new Burnley boss amid a flurry of activity over the past 48 hours. Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard was originally favourite to replace Scott Parker at Turf Moor, but Bellamy has suddenly gone to 1-3 odds ON to be Burnley's next boss, with Gerrard drifting out to 4-1 against. Danish coach Kasper Hjulmand, who was most recently at Bayer Leverkusen, is another name being touted.
Previous Connection with Burnley
Bellamy is well known to Burnley's Board, having worked as Vincent Kompany's number two between 2022 and 2024 when the club won the Championship title. He left to become boss of Wales, opting not to join Kompany at Bayern Munich, and by and large has done a highly capable job in charge of his country.
World Cup Disappointment
However, failure to reach the World Cup after a play-off defeat to Bosnia has hit Bellamy hard. That loss has led to a renewed Burnley wish to try to entice him back, according to sources close to the north-west club.
Compensation Clause
Wales would demand close to £700,000 in compensation for Bellamy given he remains under contract, but that figure isn't thought to be likely to put off Burnley. FA of Wales chief executive Noel Mooney has described Bellamy as a 'managerial genius' and remains keen to keep hold of his man. The uncertainty is the last thing Mooney and the FAW need as they begin the countdown towards qualifying for the Euros on home soil, with the opening game of the 2028 tournament to be held in Cardiff.
Bellamy's Achievements with Wales
However, Mooney also knows the work Bellamy has done with Wales has attracted suitors, despite the agonising World Cup loss to the Bosnians on penalties. Bellamy inherited the most limited Wales squad many can remember, with a lack of the kind of real stardust we have become accustomed to down the decades in Gareth Bale, Ryan Giggs, Ian Rush, Mark Hughes, Neville Southall and Kevin Ratcliffe. There is even an argument for saying there isn't even a Gary Speed, Dean Saunders, John Hartson or indeed Bellamy himself available to Wales in 2026.
However, Bellamy led Wales into the top tier of the UEFA Nations League with some thrilling football and followed that by taking his country to the brink of World Cup qualification, albeit fans were heavily critical of some of his team selections for the Bosnia game.
Next Burnley Manager Odds
- Craig Bellamy - 1/3
- Steven Gerrard - 4/1
- Kasper Hjulmand - 5/1
- Ange Postecoglou - 8/1
- Robbie Keane - 8/1
- Brian Barry-Murphy - 8/1
- John Terry - 12/1
- Rob Edwards - 12/1
- Ruud van Nistelrooy - 14/1
- Ole Gunnar Solskjær - 20/1
- Liam Rosenior, Sean Dyche, Steve Cooper - 25/1
