A shortlist of potential successors emerges as the Wales national team prepare for Craig Bellamy’s departure to Burnley.
BBC Sport report that Football Association of Wales (FAW) bosses have already held ‘informal’ talks with Steve Cooper, the lead candidate.
Rob Edwards, recently sacked by Wolverhampton Wanderers after seven months in charge, is also being considered for the role.
Eric Ramsay is another FAW are keeping an eye on. He last managed West Brom, dismissed in February 2026 after going nine matches without a win, leaving the club 21st in the Championship, one point above the relegation zone.
Malcolm Allen on who could replace Bellamy if he leaves Wales, as reported by BBC Sport: “I wouldn’t mind Steve Cooper, I like him. He gets on with the players very well and he’s had an understanding of the game for a very long time as a manager, and has had good success from it.”
Wales are preparing for Craig Bellamy’s possible move to Burnley with a shortlist of potential successors which includes former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper.
Rob Edwards also under consideration should Bellamy leave.
Exclusive: https://t.co/O0MdCvpsFn
— Dafydd Pritchard (@DafPritchard) June 20, 2026
Former Wales striker Malcolm Allen says he’d like Steve Cooper to take over if Bellamy leaves 🤔🏴
Who would be your ideal candidate if the Wales job opens up? 💭 pic.twitter.com/VAQSuEa0DO
— BBC Sport Wales (@BBCSportWales) June 20, 2026
Here’s what fans are saying after a shortlist of potential successors emerges as Wales prepare for Craig Bellamy’s departure…
@Jonno2601: Cooper is the one
@NeathJack1: Cooper is a no brainer and would be a significant upgrade. The football may be more pragmatic, but will most certainly be a lot less naive.
@oliverCCFCrees: Cooper and Edwards would be my 2 choices if Bellamy goes. I do feel Cooper would be the best option
@mitomavirus: Edwards suits squad more for me but Cooper has everything else. Both together would never happen or be possible but.
@SCFCDan_: Happy with either of those 2 but Eric Ramsay getting mentioned scares me
@JamesSCFC_: Absolutely has to be Cooper.
@AledSCFC: Would take Cooper. Nee to STAY THE HELL away from Ramsay
@AntWelshViking: We need a bit of experience who knows how to qualify for tournaments. I’d class Cooper in there as he had good success with the underage England team.
@NickD21713385: Cooper would be a brilliant choice. But would he take the job? Far better manager than Bellamy!..
@SCFC_BenDavies: Rob Edwards I’d happily take too, either of them two is a big yes from me 🏴
@egansmind: Cooper for me based on his previous England success at albeit lower age groups 🏴
@GazWiIIiams: Cooper and Edwards being front runners is good, Eric Ramsay being mentioned is very much not good however
@Blu3army1899: Steve Cooper would be perfect for it?
@smitler1993: Will say both Cooper and Rob Edwards would be the ideal candidates if bellamy does leave
@DillonMyrddin: Someone like Steve has managed so many of the players who you’d expect to be called up every month. Neco, Rodon, DJ, Brennan, Cabango, Cullen (if he gets called up), Roberts, Ward. They’ll all be familiar with how he likes to play. I know it was youth level (U16 / U17), but he also has experience managing international football at some level, he knows kind of what to expect, and how be the head coach of an international side.
@andytidy_80: Either would be a huge improvement on the current set up.
@sld1638: Doesn’t matter which one, still won’t qualify for major tournaments for years again
@Niall_Burke26: Surely Mr I love Wales it’s the greatest job in the world isn’t going to leave for Burnley? 😂😂😂
@carwynhughes_: I’d be happy with either. I’d probably lean more towards Cooper in a last ditch attempt to salvage Brennan’s Welsh career.
@Man_Utd_Forever: Not bad options to fall back on, but every effort should first be made to land Osian Roberts.
@oli_tatty: Surely he won’t go to Burnley, he’d be moving away from his family that he was so desperate to be with 8 months ago? Unless he’s sick of them by now?
@ReeceLSport: Osain Roberts is the correct option. Steve Cooper wouldn’t be fun but probably not horrific. Rob Edwards for his own sake needs to take a time out. Knowing some of the FA Wales decision makers it’ll be something mental like Callum McFarlane
@covtaff58: Ramsey with Osian Roberts
@CCFCFR1: Happy with either of them
@AntWelshViking: Get Cooper in.
@NickD21713385: Cooper would be a brilliant choice. But would he take the job? Far better manager than Bellamy!..
@CantonaCymru: Cooper not just has international experience but World Cup success! 🏆 Would be a good appointment. Hopefully would have the same impact on Wales as Potter at Sweden.
@andypryor68: I think we can assume there won’t be a bid from them for Rubin. Lawlor however……… hmmm
@MarkWat26521362: The fact they’re sounding people out normally means one thing… he’s going.
@SJRichards79: Yep starting to feel inevitable that Bellamy goes – media talking up replacements
