Craig Bellamy reveals what happened in Burnley talks and gives brutally honest verdict on Wales future

Wales boss Craig Bellamy has revealed that he personally rejected Burnley when approached to take over as their manager.

Bellamy explained his decision to stay with the national team after coming close to leaving for the Championship side.

4

The former Clarets assistant looked set to become their new boss in June, replacing Scott Parker following their relegation.

But the switch collapsed at the late stages, with an issue regarding his backroom staff understood to be a stumbling block.

Nicky Hayen was then eventually named Burnley manager.

Meanwhile, Bellamy's focus returned to Wales, who are getting ready to play for the first time since the management drama.

And speaking ahead of their Nations League clash against Portugal and Cristiano Ronaldo, Bellamy revealed details of the collapse.

What has Bellamy said on the Burnley move?

The 47-year-old told the media in his press conference on Tuesday: “There's really nothing to explain.

“I am always in conversation with the club I worked with and I worked two years with them. I have a good relationship with them.

“For them to progress the conversation and speak to me even further, they had to do what Wales did with them.

"When Wales wanted to speak to me when I was working with Burnley, you had to get permission and then we can have a conversation. Burnley got into the conversation with Wales because you have to do it right, you know.

“I'm always trying to be up front. If anyone contacts me, I speak to Wales straight away. I'm transparent in everything we do and then I had a decision to make and I made that decision. It's as simple as that.

4

“I saw what went on; it's not for me to talk. This is the first time I'm talking about it, and I made the decision to stay, because this is the right place for me.

“It was as simple as that. I can't control the narrative and what goes on after that, nor do I ever want to get involved in trying to control it. Let it be. When I have a chance to talk, then I'll talk, and this is it.”

When asked to clarify what he believed the narrative was, Bellamy said: “You know, [the fact that] it broke down? It didn't break down.

"I said no, it's not for me. That’s it. There was no walkaway from discussions. It just wasn't for me.

“That was a conversation I had and it was that simple. What came out 20 minutes later was different. But let it be. Let it be.

“People will talk, let them talk. I can't control that. But that was it.”

4

Will Bellamy stay with Wales for Euro 2028?

Bellamy's explanation was followed by questions about his Wales future and whether he will see out his contract.

Some speculation is already returning regarding his future, with Burnley winless in seven and bottom of the Championship under Hayen, which could potentially lead to another vacancy.

And he was unable to guarantee that he will still be in his position by the time his deal ends in 2028 after that summer's Euros.

“I could get sacked," Bellamy said when asked whether he could be sure that he will see out the rest of his contract.

“Do you want to speak to the Welsh FA and ask: ‘Can you give me reassurance that we're staying here for two years?’

“We don't work that way and I don't think anyone does in any walk of life. We can't look into the future that much, as much as we'd like to and much as we'd like to reassure people.

4

“I would love to sit here and say: ‘Yeah…’, but is it really realistic for the environment that I'm in? I'm not sure.

“I mean that because it's such a volatile position to be in, in management. There's no proof that anyone is assured of anything in this game, and that's how I like it, and that's what I stepped into, because otherwise I could have just kept being a coach.

“I knew what I was stepping into and I knew the uncertainty of this world of what you're stepping into.”