Craig Bellamy has finally revealed the truth behind Burnley’s summer approach for the Wales manager, making it clear that the decision to stay with the national team was entirely his own.
The Wales boss was heavily linked with a return to Burnley during the summer after emerging as a strong candidate for the Championship club’s head coach position.
Bellamy was already familiar with Burnley after working at Turf Moor as an assistant to Vincent Kompany. His previous experience at the club made him an attractive option as Burnley searched for their next manager.
Reports later suggested that negotiations had broken down.
But Bellamy has now dismissed that version of events.
According to the Wales boss, there was no dramatic breakdown in negotiations. Instead, he simply decided that the Burnley job was not the right move for him.
“The move didn’t break down,” Bellamy told the press.
“I said no, it’s not for me. That is it. There was no walking away from discussions. It just wasn’t for me. That was the conversation I had and it was simple.
“What came out 20 minutes later was different. But let it be, people talk. Let them talk, I can’t control that.”
Bellamy was also quick to praise Burnley despite turning down the opportunity to return to the club.
The former Burnley coach admitted it was flattering to be wanted, but his personal circumstances ultimately played a major role in his decision.
“It was flattering,” Bellamy said.
“We all like our ego being exercised and being wanted. So that’s not a problem. But to me, my partner and my kids, this was the place and we didn’t see anything being able to move that.”
The Wales boss insists he has no regrets about rejecting Burnley and remains fully comfortable with the decision he made.
He also stressed that his focus remains on doing his job rather than worrying about how others perceive his decision.
“I’m comfortable with the decision I made.
“I’ve always been very committed to everything that I do and that hasn’t changed. Winning people back over? I don’t know.
“The simple part of it is that I’m comfortable in me and the biggest person I have to prove anything to is me and that never changes.”
Bellamy is currently halfway through a four-year contract with Wales, with his deal running until after Euro 2028.
However, despite his commitment to the national team, he refused to guarantee that he will still be in charge when the contract expires.
The Wales boss pointed to the unpredictable nature of football and admitted that circumstances can change quickly.
“I could get sacked!” Bellamy said.
“Do you want me to speak to the Welsh FA and ask can you give me reassurance that I’ll be staying for two years? We don’t work that way. I don’t think anyone does in any walk of life.
“I can’t look into the future that much. As much as we’d like to and as much as we like to reassure people, the reality of the world is that we know it’s volatile.
“I would love to sit here and say yeah, but is that really realistic for the environment I’m in?”
For now, Bellamy’s message is clear. Burnley wanted him, but he chose Wales.
The decision may have generated plenty of speculation over the summer, but the Wales boss has now put his version of events on the record.
And rather than a failed move to Burnley, Bellamy insists it was a straightforward decision to remain where he felt his future belonged.
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