Burnley Eye Wales Manager Craig Bellamy After Scott Parker Departure

Burnley are interested in appointing Wales manager Craig Bellamy as manager after Scott Parker left by mutual consent, eight days after their relegation from the Premier League. The Clarets' return to the Championship - for the second time in three seasons - was confirmed when they were beaten 1-0 by Manchester City on 22 April. They have won four of 34 league games this season and have taken one point from their past eight matches. Burnley view Bellamy as a serious candidate for the position, but they face an uphill battle to convince him to return to Turf Moor. Bellamy coached at Burnley under previous boss Vincent Kompany and was among the candidates to take the top job before Parker's appointment in 2024. But Bellamy is enjoying his time with Wales and is said to be relishing the opportunity of leading the nation to a home nations European Championship in 2028. He is also understood to be hold some reservations about the current make-up of the Burnley squad and how much work it may need this summer, with a number of players expected to depart. There have been no formal bids for Bellamy, while Burnley would have to pay a release clause of at least £700,000 to get him out of his contract with the Football Association of Wales. Steven Gerrard has been heavily linked with the position but there has been no formal contact, while sources have indicated that the Clarets have also checked on Cardiff head coach Brian Barry-Murphy. Burnley assistant manager Mike Jackson will take charge for the last four games of the season, starting with Friday's trip to Leeds United. Burnley's dire league form has been compounded by poor cup performances. They were knocked out of the FA Cup and Carabao Cup by League One teams - Mansfield beating them in the former and Cardiff in the latter. Parker took charge of Burnley in July 2024, signing a three-year contract, and led them back to the Premier League at the first time of asking with a second-place finish in the Championship. "It has been an immense privilege to lead this great club over the past two years," he said. "I have enjoyed every moment of our journey together but feel that now is the right time for both parties to move in a different direction. "I reflect back with great pride on what we achieved during my time at the club, especially our unforgettable promotion season in 2024-25, and it was a true honour to lead this team into the Premier League." Burnley won three of their first nine league matches this season but losing their next seven meant they plunged into the relegation zone. Despite five draws in their next seven matches, including defiant performances against Manchester United and Liverpool, a 3-0 thumping by Sunderland followed by a loss to fellow strugglers West Ham led to some fans calling for Parker's removal. He expressed his frustration at those chants, and chairman Alan Pace supported Parker in a BBC Football Focus interview, comparing protesting fans to children. Parker had replaced the departing Kompany before the 2024-25 season. Despite the sale of key players that summer, including Wilson Odobert, Sander Berge and Vitinho, Parker guided the Clarets to automatic promotion, losing out on the Championship title to Leeds United on goal difference. His side kept 30 clean sheets in 46 league matches - the most in a season in the history of the Championship. However, Burnley have conceded 68 goals in 34 league matches this campaign - the most of any side. Last season was Parker's third time winning promotion to the top flight as a manager, having done so with Fulham in 2020 and Bournemouth in 2022. He has also managed Belgian side Club Brugge, but was dismissed in 2023 after winning two of 12 matches in charge. Parker played for Charlton, Chelsea, Newcastle, West Ham and Tottenham before turning to management. He also made 18 appearances for England.