Burnley are reportedly ready to make an official approach for Craig Bellamy.
Bellamy was reportedly a prominent candidate for Celtic as they decided on their next manager, eventually opting for Martin O’Neill.
Robbie Keane held talks with Dermot Desmond prior to this, evidencing that the club preferred him as a candidate over the Wales boss.
Bellamy reaffirmed his commitment to Wales earlier this month, indicating that he wasn’t considering an exit — but doubts have now been raised about this.
Never in doubt… 😅 How relieved are we!?
Burnley approach Wales for Craig Bellamy
According to BBC Sport, Burnley have contacted Wales as they target the 46-year-old.
Pete O’Rourke even reports that the Clarets are ‘confident’ of landing the ex-Celtic striker as they advance for their top managerial target.
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A move to Burnley would appear to be Bellamy going back on his word, after he claimed a few weeks ago: “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.”
The Welsh FA also told the BBC that they were “very confident” that Bellamy would stay, so they’re unlikely to part ways with Bellamy easily.
Anyone familiar with Bellamy’s playing career knows that he isn’t one to shy away from the spotlight of the Celtic job, so might he have taken the job had things gone differently?
Desmond reportedly backed away from the appointment of Keane amid fan backlash.
Not bad from Alistair Johnston at the World Cup… 🔥
Craig Bellamy’s coaching career
Bellamy started his top-level coaching career by linking up with ex-teammate Vincent Kompany at Anderlecht and Burnley.
Whilst in Belgium, he reached out to then-Yokohama manager Ange Postecoglou to get involved with the club, having grown an admiration for the Aussie whilst sharing facilities with him in Melbourne in 2012.
When Kompany accepted an offer to manage Bayern Munich in 2024, he attempted to bring Bellamy with him, with the Welshman rejecting this in favour of forging his own path in management.
He then made the unusual move of accepting an international role as his first senior management job. Understandably, the opportunity to manage his beloved Wales was too good to turn down.
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