Former Newcastle United forward Craig Bellamy has been appointed assistant manager at Championship club Burnley. Bellamy has joined a five-strong team in Vincent Kompany’s backroom staff as they aim to achieve an immediate return to the Premier League.
The former Wales international worked with Kompany at Anderlecht, occupying roles as under-21 coach, and later assistant manager, but stepped down from his role in September 2021 due to mental health issues.
After 10 months away from professional football, Bellamy returns to team up with his former Manchester City teammate, who he played with for two seasons between 2008 and 2010.
Bellamy was signed by the late legendary Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson from Coventry City in 2001 and was named PFA Young Player of the Year in his debut season. He bagged a brace, including a famous 90th minute winner, as the Magpies defeated Feyenoord 3-2 to secure their place in the second group stage of the Champions League in 2002-03.
He left the club to join Celtic on loan after infamously falling out with Graeme Souness in 2005. Bellamy departed on a permanent basis in the summer of 2005 and went onto play for Blackburn Rovers, Liverpool, West Ham United and Manchester City.
Bellamy spent a season on loan at his boyhood club Cardiff City, before returning for a solitary season at Anfield in 2011-12. The 42-year-old returned to the Welsh capital for two more seasons until he announced his retirement in 2014.
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