Sheffield United's Championship rivals close in on high-profile managerial appointment ahead of promotion charge
One of Sheffield United's expected promotion rivals could be about to make a high-profile appointment, with Burnley in advanced talks to bring Wales manager Craig Bellamy back to Turf Moor.
Sheffield United could come up against a new face in the opposition dugout when the new Championship season gets away in August, after their league rivals Burnley moved a step closer to appointing Scott Parker’s successor. Parker was sacked earlier this summer after relegation from the Premier League.
Now, according to BBC Sport, the Clarets are now in talks over Wales boss Craig Bellamy becoming the new boss at Turf Moor. Burnley are understood to have approached the Football Association of Wales and are willing to meet the compensation clause in the 46-year-old former striker’s contract.
The former Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle United forward had initially been expected to remain in charge of Wales through to Euro 2028. But a return to club football now appears a realistic possibility.
Speaking earlier this month about his future, Bellamy said: "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.
"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. Wales gave me this opportunity and one or two might not have because I was conscious I haven't managed before.
“Wales have given me this opportunity and I'm really grateful for that. 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 is no stranger to Turf Moor, having previously worked there as Vincent Kompany's assistant before briefly taking interim charge following Kompany's departure to Bayern Munich.
For United, attention remains focused on strengthening Chris Wilder's squad ahead of the new campaign, following last season’s disappointing 13th-placed finish, while Burnley are once again attempting to bounce back from relegation and are expected to be among the division's strongest sides.
Former Nottingham Forest and Leicester City manager Steve Cooper - who has previously been linked with United - and ex-Wolves boss Rob Edwards are amongst the potential candidates for the Wales job should Bellamy depart.