Craig Bellamy has confirmed he turned down an offer to become manager of Burnley during the summer, stating that leading Wales is the right decision for him. The 47-year-old had been approached by the Championship club after their relegation from the Premier League, but he chose to remain with the Welsh national team. Burnley eventually appointed Nicky Hayen as their new manager. Bellamy, who had previously worked as an assistant at Burnley under Vincent Kompany, had discussions with the club after a clause in his Wales contract allowed them to initiate talks. Bellamy admitted the opportunity was "flattering," especially after considering quitting his role with Wales two years into a four-year deal. However, he emphasized that he was "comfortable" with the decision to stay in charge of the national team, reiterating his long-term goal of leading Wales at a home European Championships in 2028. He also revealed that he had spent time in intensive care last summer after an appendicitis scare, which he said made him appreciate his current role and family life more. Speaking ahead of naming his 28-man squad for Nations League matches against Portugal, Denmark, and Norway, Bellamy acknowledged the recent speculation about his future but said he was focused on the current challenge. He expressed respect for Burnley, where he had previously worked, but admitted that he felt his place was with Wales. Some fans had expressed disappointment that he had not ruled out leaving, but Bellamy maintained that his only focus was on proving himself to himself. Bellamy’s time with Wales has been promising, with the team achieving an unbeaten start in the Nations League after he took over from Rob Page in 2024. However, the failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup has led to some criticism. Bellamy acknowledged the "volatility" of the managerial role and said he could not guarantee staying until 2028, but he expressed a desire to be in charge for the European Championships in Cardiff. With the upcoming matches against higher-ranked teams, Bellamy emphasized the need for resilience, particularly with key players injured. He welcomed the addition of new coaching staff, including former Swansea manager Alan Sheehan and ex-Wales captain Ashley Williams, whom he said would be a great asset to the team.