Craig Bellamy says staying with Wales was his call after Burnley talks

Craig Bellamy says he is staying as Wales manager and that turning down Burnley was his call.

The 46-year-old said he remains committed to Wales after a summer of speculation about his future. He confirmed he spoke to Burnley but decided to stay, according to BBC Sport.

Burnley wanted him to replace Scott Parker after relegation from the Premier League. The Football Association of Wales gave Bellamy permission to talk to the club in June after Burnley triggered a compensation clause, a deal term that requires a fee to speak to a manager under contract.

It was a familiar club. Bellamy had previously worked at Turf Moor as assistant to Vincent Kompany before taking the Wales job.

He was two years into a four-year deal when he considered the move. Bellamy said he now wants to lead Wales to Euro 2028, with the prospect of tournament games in Cardiff driving him on.

Talk turned quickly to the pitch. Bellamy has named a 28-man squad for Wales’ games in League A of the Nations League, the competition’s top tier, against Portugal, Denmark and Norway.

Wales start away to Portugal in Lisbon on Thursday 24 September, according to the Football Association of Wales. Defenders Joe Rodon and Dylan Lawlor miss out through injury. Alan Sheehan and former Wales captain Ashley Williams are part of Bellamy’s coaching team.

Bellamy replaced Rob Page as Wales manager in 2024 in his first job as a head coach. He led Wales to unbeaten promotion to the top flight of the Nations League.

The low point came in March. Wales missed the 2026 World Cup after losing to Bosnia-Herzegovina on penalties in a play-off, a one-off tie that decides who qualifies.

For fans, this means clarity after a noisy summer. The squad is young, the next test is tough, and the manager says he is all in.