Burnley is reportedly considering the appointment of Wales manager Craig Bellamy following Scott Parker’s departure by mutual agreement, just eight days after their relegation from the Premier League.
The Clarets’ drop to the Championship was confirmed on April 22, when they were defeated 1-0 by Manchester City.
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This season, they have managed to secure only four wins in 34 league matches and have accumulated just one point from their last eight games.
Burnley sees Bellamy as a viable candidate for the managerial role, though persuading him to return to Turf Moor may prove challenging.
Bellamy previously served under former manager Vincent Kompany at Burnley and was considered for the managerial position before Parker took over in 2024.
However, Bellamy is currently enjoying success with the Wales national team and is looking forward to the prospect of leading them in the home nations European Championship in 2028.
He also has reservations regarding the current state of the Burnley squad and the anticipated overhaul needed this summer, as several players are expected to leave.
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To date, there have been no formal approaches for Bellamy, and Burnley would need to pay a release clause estimated to be around £700,000 to break his contract with the Football Association of Wales.
Steven Gerrard has been linked to the position, but there has been no formal outreach, and they are also exploring the option of Cardiff City head coach Brian Barry-Murphy.
Mike Jackson, the assistant manager, will oversee the final four matches of the season, with the first being against Leeds United on Friday.
Burnley’s struggles in the league have been reflected in their cup performances, as they were eliminated from both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup by League One clubs—losing to Mansfield in the former and Cardiff in the latter.
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‘The right time’ to leave – Parker
Parker took the helm at Burnley in July 2024, securing a three-year contract. He successfully guided the team back to the Premier League after a second-place finish in the Championship.
“Leading this illustrious club over the past two years has been an extraordinary honor,” he stated.
“I have cherished every moment of our journey but believe that it is now the right time for both sides to pursue new directions.”
“I reflect on our achievements with immense pride, especially during the unforgettable promotion campaign of 2024-25, where it was an absolute privilege to lead this team into the Premier League.”
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Burnley started the current season by winning three of their first nine league matches but then suffered a seven-match losing streak that saw them drop into the relegation zone.
Despite trying to stabilize their form with five draws in the following seven games, including resilient displays against Manchester United and Liverpool, the team faced a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Sunderland, followed by a loss to fellow relegation candidates West Ham, resulting in supporters calling for Parker’s resignation.
Parker expressed his frustration regarding the fans’ chants, while chairman Alan Pace defended him during a BBC Football Focus interview, likening disgruntled supporters to children.
Parker stepped in to fill the void left by Kompany’s exit before the 2024-25 season.
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Despite the summer sale of essential players such as Wilson Odobert, Sander Berge, and Vitinho, Parker managed to guide the Clarets to automatic promotion, narrowly missing out on the Championship title to Leeds United on goal difference.
His team set a record with 30 clean sheets in a single season— the most in Championship history.
In contrast, Burnley’s current season has seen them concede 68 goals in just 34 league matches, the highest in the league.
This was Parker’s third promotion to the Premier League as a manager, having previously led Fulham in 2020 and Bournemouth in 2022.
Parker also had a brief stint managing Club Brugge in Belgium but was dismissed in 2023 after only winning two out of 12 matches.
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A former player for Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham, and Tottenham, Parker has also made 18 appearances for the England national team.