Burnley’s third relegation from the Premier League in five years means they will play Championship football next season, and with no permanent head coach in place, the Lancashire club has apparently made a pricey move to address that issue.

Burnley will play Championship football next season after being relegated from the Premier League, which is one of the only certainties around the club right now.

Scott Parker, who had guided the club to the top flight with 100 points and a record 16 goals conceded across the campaign, was unable to get to grips with the Premier League once more, having failed to do so previously with both Fulham and Bournemouth, and following the confirmation of Burnley’s relegation, left the club.

Indeed, the departures of CJ Egan-Riley, James Trafford, and Josh Brownhill did not improve matters, with just Wolverhampton Wanderers keeping the team off the bottom of the league.

Both Wolves and West Ham United will join them in the second tier next year, having made major decisions about their head coaches following relegation, while the Clarets are the last in line to make a move in the form of Craig Bellamy, in a potentially expensive agreement.

Burnley are apparently ready to treble Craig Bellamy’s Wales salaries to allow the Turf Moor comeback.

Burnley’s management search is finally progressing.

Steven Gerrard, John Eustace, and Brian Barry-Murphy have all been linked with a move to Turf Moor, but it now appears that the Clarets’ prime aim is former assistant manager and current Wales manager Craig Bellamy.

Bellamy, 46, made just under 300 Premier League appearances for Coventry City, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool, West Ham United, Manchester City, and Cardiff City throughout his career, and began his management career as a coach in the Bluebirds’ academy.

He’d work as an assistant manager for Anderlecht in Belgium alongside former Manchester City centre-back Vincent Kompany, and he’d join the current Bayern Munich head coach at Burnley in 2022, contributing to their 101-point season in 2022/23, in which they lost only three games.

Following Kompany’s departure from the Clarets in the summer of 2024, he would take over as Wales’ manager, a position he still holds today, and has since underlined his determination to stay by turning down club offers.

Burnley, on the other hand, are hoping to put his dedication to his national team to the test by making a big bid for his services, with WalesOnline reporting that they are willing to potentially triple his current salary to entice him back to Turf Moor.

Burnley’s objective is to make a swift return to the top flight, having done so twice previously following their most recent relegations, and they have identified Bellamy as the best prospect to spearhead their drive.

Bellamy has coached Wales in 20 matches, winning eight, drawing six, and losing six, with one of the defeats coming against Bosnia and Herzegovina, denying them the opportunity to compete in the current World Cup in North America.

His experience working under Kompany makes him an appealing prospect for the Clarets, and having previously worked at Turf Moor, he understands what the club is about and what the fans want.

According to WalesOnline, Burnley would have to pay a compensation cost of roughly £700,000 to entice Bellamy away from his present deal with his nation.

It remains to be seen whether Burnley are willing to meet that amount, which, despite relegation, should not be too expensive given their financial situation.

Regardless of his performance as Wales’ head coach, Bellamy would be a risk for the Clarets, given his lack of experience in a top club post, but one that Burnley appears to be willing to take.

Whether it is the right option remains to be seen, but Burnley appear to believe he is worth pursuing, leaving Clarets fans with no choice but to trust their judgement on what appears to be a gamble.

Burnley must examine the advantages and cons before appointing Craig Bellamy, which is a major choice.

Burnley are expected to follow in the footsteps of Wolves and West Ham by making significant changes to their management teams.

The Old Gold fired Rob Edwards unexpectedly and replaced him with the lesser-known Cesar Peixoto, while Nuno Espirito Santo is anticipated to remain in command of the Hammers following relegation.

Burnley are the latest of the relegated clubs to make a decision on their head coach, and while taking their time can be perceived positively or poorly, Clarets fans are likely to see it as a plus.

Having already gotten both Kompany’s and Parker’s appointments right, fans must trust the hierarchy to do the same with Bellamy if he is chosen, despite the fact that it appears to be a gamble.