Craig Bellamy has ended speculation over his future by firmly committing his future to the Wales national team, rebuffing advances from club sides including Burnley and Celtic. The Welsh boss, who has been identified as a candidate for the vacant Burnley job and linked with a return to Celtic, confirmed he has turned down offers to remain with the FAW until at least Euro 2028.
Speaking ahead of Tuesday’s friendly against Ghana, Bellamy expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity given to him by Wales, his first senior managerial role. “Everything’s in place, I get completely backed and it’s going to give me the opportunity in the next two years to improve again,” he said. “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.” He added, “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.”
Bellamy’s appointment in the summer of 2024 on a four‑year deal was initially met with curiosity given his lack of management experience, but the former captain quickly silenced doubters. He went unbeaten in his first nine matches, guiding Wales to promotion in the Nations League with an attractive, attacking brand of football. However, his maiden qualifying campaign ended in heartbreak when Wales lost a World Cup play‑off final at home to Bosnia‑Herzegovina in March, a setback that only strengthened his resolve.
The incentive of leading his country at Euro 2028 – a tournament Wales will co‑host with England, Scotland and the Republic of Ireland – is a powerful lure. FAW chiefs are “very confident” Bellamy will see out his contract, which contains a release clause of at least £700,000 for any club wanting to prise him away. No formal bids have yet been lodged, but the clause acts as a deterrent while Wales build toward their home European Championship.
Wales have two upcoming friendlies to begin the process of bouncing back from the World Cup disappointment. They host Ghana at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday before travelling to Bucharest to face Romania on Saturday. Ticket sales for the Ghana game have been sluggish, with only around 10,000 sold by Monday afternoon, a situation Bellamy acknowledged with empathy. “It’s a difficult period, I have to be honest,” he said. “Don’t forget it was half‑term last week, this is a midweek game… I understand quite a lot on this.”
The manager also highlighted Wales’ dreadful June record – 13 games, nine defeats and only two wins – as a trend he is determined to correct. “You want to be a serious nation? Our June record’s nowhere near, so we have to correct that,” Bellamy stated, underscoring the importance of these tests.
The squad has seen some notable changes. Defenders Ben Davies and Connor Roberts return from long‑term injuries, providing a significant boost. However, in‑form Fulham midfielder Harry Wilson is unavailable, and Swansea centre‑back Ben Cabango has withdrawn, leading Wales to hand maiden call‑ups to uncapped trio Cameron Congreve, Ollie Bostock and teenager Jayden Lienou, the Leeds left‑back who has caught the eye.
Bellamy’s decision to stay has broader implications for the coaching market. Burnley, searching for a permanent successor to Scott Parker, and Celtic, seeking to replace interim Martin O’Neill, will now have to look elsewhere. It also sends a message about the growing appeal of international management for ambitious coaches, with a home Euros on the horizon.
The 46‑year‑old’s commitment was reinforced by direct contact from his players after the links surfaced. “I had one or two players ringing up like, ‘Is this true?’ Listen, we’re not going anywhere. We’re going again, we’ve got another two years,” Bellamy revealed. “I’ve always wanted to do this role, so I don’t want to wish this away. I get great backing, you know, and that’s all I can ask for.”
For Wales, stability at the top is crucial as they look to build on the foundations laid during Bellamy’s first year. The next two years will be about refining the playing style, integrating young talents like Congreve, Bostock and Lienou, and ensuring that the pain of the Bosnia defeat fuels a successful European Championship campaign on home soil. The friendlies against Ghana and Romania, although challenging to sell to a weary fanbase, represent vital steps in that journey.
Bellamy’s blend of passion and pragmatism suggests Wales are in safe hands. By putting country before club riches for now, he has shown a loyalty that resonates deeply with a nation still riding the wave of recent tournament appearances. As the countdown to Euro 2028 begins, the message from the camp is unequivocal: Wales is a long‑term project, and Craig Bellamy intends to see it through.
Based on reporting from BBC Sport.