Craig Bellamy says he rejected Burnley job to remain with Wales

Craig Bellamy said in The Guardian on 15 September 2026 that he turned down the chance to become Burnley’s manager during the summer in order to remain with the Wales national team as they prepared for the Nations League. Burnley instead appointed Nicky Hayen.

The 47-year-old had been among the managers Burnley targeted and spent two years on the club’s staff, working as an assistant to Vincent Kompany and taking caretaker charge after Kompany left for Bayern Munich. Burnley were granted permission to hold talks with him after a triggering release clause in his Wales contract.

"This is the first time I’m talking about it and I made the decision to stay because this is the right place for me," Bellamy said. "There’s only one person you have to prove [something] to, and that’s to yourself, your morals, what you live by. I’ve never moved for money, I’ve never done anything for money and I ain’t going to change now. I’m comfortable with myself, I’m comfortable with the decision I’ve made and I have always been committed in everything I do, that hasn’t changed. I said: ‘No, it’s not for me.’ There was no walking away from discussions. It wasn’t for me. It was that simple."

Bellamy revealed he spent a week in intensive care last summer after rupturing his appendix before Wales won in Kazakhstan last September. "I try to stay quiet, mostly," he said. "I feel like I’ve got nothing worth saying when I’m not working … l lead a very boring life. I’m sorry if it looks that way [that I have been quiet]. I’ve really enjoyed this summer and got a hang of it. I’ve enjoyed my time with the family and my time working as well."

The Leeds defender Joe Rodon is absent from Bellamy’s squad for games against Portugal, Norway and Denmark because of a hamstring problem, but his clubmate Jayden Lienou has been called up. Cardiff City’s 21-year-old forward Cian Ashford has been called up for the first time.

Bellamy is preparing to lead Wales in the Nations League, with the trip to Portugal on Thursday next week the first of four matches across the extended international break.