Craig Bellamy tells Soccer AM that he turned down Cardiff manager role

Craig Bellamy tells Soccer AM that he turned down the chance to be Cardiff City manager prior to Russell Slade's appointment.

The former Bluebirds, Manchester City and Newcastle striker was speaking to Fenners and Helen on the Soccer AM sofa about the decision he was asked to make when Ole Gunner Solskjaer was relieved of his duties in the Welsh capital, but felt he was not ready to undertake his first role in management.

"It was temporary at the time, I am sure there was no long term planning involved," Bellamy said. "I was offered it, but I wasn't ready at that time.

"Cardiff being the club that I had grown up with deserved better at that time than what I was.

"For Cardiff to have any chance of returning to the Premier League, I certainly wasn't that option.

Now working with the Cardiff academy, Bellamy admitted that management is where his future lies, but he is waiting until the time is right.

"I am working towards July, as that will be two years from when I retired," Bellamy added. "I have been working with all age groups to get experience.

"I have had a managerial offer and several coaching offers. If I could learn from being an assistant before going into management I'd be happy to do that."