Craig Bellamy has reaffirmed his dedication to Wales, stating he has turned down job offers from club teams.
The 46-year-old has emerged as a potential candidate to succeed Scott Parker at Burnley, where he served as assistant manager under Vincent Kompany, who is now at Bayern Munich.
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Previously, Bellamy has been linked with a return to Celtic, who are actively looking for a permanent manager to replace interim leader Martin O’Neill.
However, the Wales head coach is determined to guide his national team to Euro 2028. Officials from the Football Association of Wales (FAW) have expressed to BBC Sport Wales their “strong confidence” that he will complete his current contract, which extends until the tournament’s conclusion.
“Everything’s in place — I am fully supported here, which allows me the chance to improve further in the next two years,” Bellamy remarked ahead of the friendly against Ghana in Cardiff.
“As for the speculation, I understand it, but I’m focused on my role here. I cherish this opportunity,” he added.
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“I have received offers elsewhere, but I have a commitment here. Wales provided me with this chance, especially considering my lack of prior management experience, and I am truly thankful for that.”
“I am ambitious; I aim for financial success, but this is not the right time for a change,” he stated.
Since being appointed to a four-year deal in the summer of 2024, Bellamy has made a strong impression in his inaugural role as a senior manager. He went unbeaten in his first nine matches, achieving promotion to the top tier of the Nations League and igniting an attacking playing style.
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Unfortunately, his initial World Cup qualifying campaign ended in disappointment, with Wales falling to Bosnia-Herzegovina in a home play-off final in March.
Often considered for club management roles, Bellamy has expressed his desire to eventually make that transition following his tenure with Wales. However, the prospect of leading Wales at Euro 2028—a tournament they will co-host with England, Scotland, and the Republic of Ireland—serves as a significant motivation.
As of now, no official bids have been made for Bellamy, and any interested party would need to fulfill a release clause of at least £700,000 to sever ties with the FAW.
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“I wouldn’t find it fair to just walk away,” Bellamy said. “Some players have even contacted me, asking if the rumors are true. I assure them we are committed, and we have another two years to work together.”
“I’ve always aspired to undertake this role, so I don’t wish it away. The support I receive is invaluable.”
Ghana match offers an opportunity to improve June record
Wales has two upcoming friendlies, starting with their match against Ghana at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, followed by a trip to Bucharest to play Romania on Saturday.
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Defenders Ben Davies and Connor Roberts have returned from long-term injuries, while Wales will be missing Fulham’s prominent and in-demand midfielder Harry Wilson.
With Swansea center-back Ben Cabango also out of the squad, Wales has included three uncapped players: Cameron Congreve, Ollie Bostock, and Jayden Lienou.
Ticket sales for the match against Ghana, a team that featured in England’s World Cup group, have been sluggish, with only around 10,000 tickets sold as of Monday afternoon.
“This is a challenging time, to be honest,” Bellamy explained. “Remember, last week was half-term, and this is a midweek match. After spending a week with their kids, many parents might not be inclined to take them to a game on a Tuesday night.”
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“I can understand this perspective. Our Nations League matches will certainly attract larger crowds.”
“Looking back at our June record, it’s evident we need improvement. Over thirteen matches, we recorded nine losses and only two wins—one of which was last year.”
“If we want to become a serious footballing nation, we need to rectify our performance in June,” he concluded.