FAW chief backs Bellamy’s decision to hold talks with Burnley

David Adams, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) chief football officer, has defended Craig Bellamy’s decision to hold exploratory discussions with Burnley earlier this summer, describing the negotiations as a transparent move consistent with the manager’s known ambitions.

Bellamy, whose tenure with Wales runs through Euro 2028, had previously made his desire to return to club management public. He held talks with his former club regarding the vacant managerial position at Turf Moor, which became available after Scott Parker’s departure. However, the Wales boss ultimately chose to remain in charge of the national team, a decision he publicly confirmed after the initial reports suggested he had accepted the role.

Speaking on the BBC’s Feast of Football podcast, Adams acknowledged that the situation was mishandled once it entered the public domain. “The way it played out was unfortunate, things get leaked these days,” Adams said. “Naturally, the longer things go on, people start to make their own noise in some respects.”

Adams revealed that he maintained regular communication with Burnley chairman Alan Pace during the summer, continuing the open dialogue established when Bellamy left the club for the Wales job in 2024. “Internally, Craig has always been very open and transparent about opportunities,” Adams explained. “For him to go and speak to Burnley was the right thing to do, knowing that he does want to do that at some point.”

The FAW chief highlighted a disconnect between the internal narrative and external claims during the saga. “We were happy for Craig to go and speak to them,” Adams added. “And then unfortunately, the way it played out was that they were saying he had accepted the job when he hadn’t. Craig was telling us the same thing as that and then one morning he rang and said ‘I’m staying’.”

Despite the turbulence, Adams emphasized that succession planning remains a priority. He confirmed that the FAW is actively identifying potential replacements to ensure continuity, with a preference for selecting former internationals who possess a deep connection to Welsh football.

Beyond the managerial controversy, Adams celebrated the announcement that Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will host the Women’s Champions League final in 2029, describing it as a transformative moment for the sport in Wales. The venue previously hosted the men’s final in 2017.

“It’s absolutely incredible, a game-changer for us,” Adams said, noting the rapid growth in attendance for women’s fixtures, which have risen from approximately 1,000 spectators at Rodney Parade to 15,000 at Cardiff City Stadium in the most recent campaign.

Adams stressed the importance of visibility for young female athletes. “Young females seeing role models play at the home of Cardiff City and Principality Stadium is just inspirational for those players,” he stated. With the Wales women’s team currently pursuing qualification for the 2027 World Cup, Adams added that the FAW must now focus on building a sustainable talent pathway that allows players to graduate into top European leagues, ensuring consistent competitiveness at major tournaments.