Craig Bellamy Out of Running for Burnley Manager Position

Craig Bellamy will not be the man to lead Burnley back to the Premier League. What had looked like a realistic route back to Turf Moor for the former Clarets coach has, according to reports, collapsed.

Bellamy, now in charge of Wales, had already nailed one door shut when he made it clear he would not walk away from the national team to take the Celtic job. Burnley, though, felt different. Recently relegated, familiar surroundings, and a club where he had already worked as Vincent Kompany’s assistant. The prospect seemed live.

Not anymore.

Sky Sports News report that the proposed move has “fallen through”, with Burnley now moving on and sounding out other candidates.

Steve Cooper is among the names in the frame, while Rob Edwards – recently dismissed by Wolverhampton Wanderers – is also under consideration as the Lancashire club redraws its shortlist.

Bellamy’s previous spell at Burnley, working under Kompany, had given him a clear understanding of the club’s structure and ambitions before the Belgian departed for Bayern Munich. That experience, coupled with his growing reputation on the international stage, made him an obvious contender to take charge of a squad trying to shake off the sting of relegation.

Instead, Burnley must look elsewhere for the figure to steady a side that has bounced between the top flight and the Championship since the 2021/22 campaign. The brief is stark and simple: find a manager who can stop the yo-yo and plant Burnley back in the Premier League to stay.