Steve Cooper ‘to be a leading candidate’ to replace Bellamy as Wales boss | OneFootball

Steve Cooper has emerged as a contender to become Wales head coach if Craig Bellamy departs, with the FAW drawing up a shortlist that includes him.

According to the BBC, FAW officials held informal discussions with the Welshman. Burnley want Bellamy to fill the vacancy left by Scott Parker’s departure.

Bellamy remains in post for now, but the FAW have identified alternatives in case he moves on. Former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Rob Edwards and ex-Wales assistant Eric Ramsay are also admired.

Wales missed out on the World Cup after a home play-off semi-final defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina, settled on penalties. Neco Williams and Nigel Doughty Academy graduate Brennan Johnson both failed from the spot.

Cooper is currently out of work after being sacked by Brondby last month. He spent eight months there and was dismissed a day after the final match, despite a fourth-placed league finish.

He had earlier transformed Nottingham Forest, winning promotion via the play-offs then keeping them up the following season. He joined Leicester City in summer 2024, but was sacked after five months before taking the Brondby job last September.

Source: Nottingham Post