Former Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has been identified as a possible successor to Craig Bellamy as Wales head coach.
Bellamy is wanted by Burnley as they look to fill the vacancy left by Scott Parker’s departure. Amid uncertainty about the 46-year-old’s future, the Football Association of Wales (FAW) have drawn up a shortlist of potential candidates to replace him – with Cooper among them.
The Welshman is currently out of work after being sacked by Brondby last month. He spent eight months with the Danish outfit but was axed a day after their final match of the season, having led them to a fourth-placed finish in the league.
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According to the BBC, FAW chiefs “held informal talks” with Cooper prior to news emerging of the Clarets’ renewed interest in Bellamy. He is said to be a “leading candidate” for the role.
For now, Bellamy remains in post but a list of possible replacements has been drawn up in the event he moves on. Former Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Rob Edwards and ex-Wales assistant coach Eric Ramsay are also reportedly admired by the FAW.
Wales missed out on qualification for the World Cup courtesy of their semi-final defeat at home to Bosnia-Herzegovina in the play-offs. Forest ace Neco Williams and Nigel Doughty Academy graduate Brennan Johnson both missed from the spot during the penalty shootout that decided the tie.
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It is almost three years since Cooper left the City Ground after two memorable years at the helm. He ended the Reds’ long absence from the Premier League by securing promotion via the play-offs, then equally as impressively kept the club in the top flight the following season.
The former Swansea City head coach went on to join Leicester City in the summer of 2024. He was given the boot just five months later following a poor run of results and was out of management until his appointment by Brondby last September.
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