OXFORD JOB NOT RIGHT FOR ME – CRAIG
CRAIG Bellamy has ruled himself out of becoming Oxford’s new manager, claiming talks with the new owner gave a different indication of the role to what he had previously thought.
The U’s sacked Pep Clotet at the end of January and have been searching for a replacement, with Bellamy the closest to landing it, having reportedly agreed terms.
But the former Wales international striker decided against the appointment after speaking to Oxford’s new Thai owner, Sumrith Than aka rn j an asuth,w ho took over the club in February.
“I had the opportunity to meet the new owner and, after discussions, it was different to the previous owners,” said Bellamy.
“I was always informed it could happen down the road and, last minute, it came in after we had agreed.
“That’s fine because the welfare of Oxford United is way more important than who the manager is going to be, even for myself.
“That’s normal in football. He wants to go about it his way and he wanted a little bit longer to think about it than me.
“To wait a few more days or another week would have not been fair to myself, Cardiff or Oxford. I just felt it was right to pull out at this time.”
The 38-year-old is now an academy coach at Cardiff, having retired as a player at the end of the 2013-14 season, and is expected to continue his role there indefinitely.
Bluebirds chief executive Ken Choo says Bellamy needs to take his first step into management.
“He knows that, if he wants to develop his career as a manager, he needs to start somewhere and we would definitely support him, within the club or external,” said Choo.
“I spoke to Craig and we want him to develop as a manager, and we think highly of him.”