Cooper on Wales’ radar amid Bellamy’s Burnley linksImage source, Huw Evans Picture Agency/Getty ImagesImage caption, Ex-Swans boss Steve Cooper (left) is an early front runner to replace Craig Bellamy (right) should he leave the Wales jobByDafydd PritchardBBC Sport WalesPublished18 minutes agoWales are preparing for head coach Craig Bellamy’s possible move to Burnley with a shortlist of potential successors which includes former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper.Football Association of Wales (FAW) bosses held informal talks with Cooper before news emerged of Burnley’s renewed interest in Bellamy, while ex-Wolves manager Rob Edwards is also under consideration.The Clarets have stepped up their pursuit of Bellamy as they search for a new manager after Scott Parker departed following their relegation from the Premier League last season.
Burnley have not yet reached an agreement with the FAW, which wants at least £1m in compensation.
If Bellamy rejoins the club where he worked as an assistant coach under now Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany, the FAW already has a list of possible replacements.
Former Forest and Swansea City boss Cooper is a leading candidate and would not require a compensation fee as he has been out of work since leaving Danish side Brondby earlier this year.
Like Cooper, Edwards would have been in a strong position to get the Wales job when Bellamy was appointed in 2024, had he not been at a Premier League club – Luton in Edwards’ case.
The FAW has also kept tabs on Eric Ramsay, the former Wales and Manchester United assistant coach who was briefly in charge of West Bromwich Albion during the 2025-26 season.
