Craig Bellamy is being reported as interested in applying for the vacant manager's job at the Liberty Stadium as he is ready to bring down the curtain on his playing career and wants to take his first step into management.

Bellamy has reportedly been watching developments at the Cardiff CIty Stadium first and was considered for the role when Malky Mackay was sacked earlier this season. However, after discussion with the Cardiff board he elected to keep his intentions solely to on the pitch as he wanted to focus on doing what he could as a player to retain their Premier League status.

However, with that possibility looking less and less likely every game, Bellamy is now ready to pull down the curtain on his playing career and make his first step into management.

Bellamy is close friends with former Wales boss Mark Hughes and he is believed to have turned to Hughes to discuss his options and the Stoke manager has encouraged his first steps into management.

Bellamy is keen to remain close to his Cardiff home which was one of the reasons behind his original move to the club on loan a few years back. And friends close to the player have suggested that he has interest in the Swansea job which was vacated by Michael Laudrup at the beginning of February.

Garry Monk has been placed in charge at the Swans for the foreseeable future and looks set to steer the Swans away from the relegation zone with just one more win likely to be needed to secure another season in the League. This puts him in prime position to be offered the job but Bellamy is another one keen to add his name to the list of potential candidates which also includes Ronald Koeman after the reports of his interest a few weeks back.

The source said "Craig has finally decided that it is time to bring an end to his playing career but he is keen to remain within the game once he retires.

"He has looked into moving into the media but remains more keen on the managerial and coaching side of things and while he knows that interest in the Swansea job will raise many eyebrows both sides of the South Wales divide he is confident that his ability in the job will soon overcome any doubts that people may have

"He knows he will be seen very much as a gamble if he gets the role but feels he is worth that gamble and Swansea is just one of a few clubs that he would consider at the end of the season.

"Craig has already started looking at golf clubs in the area in anticipation of the move"

Photo: Action Images

1jack added 07:47 - Apr 1 I would welcome Craig with open arms.
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chrisr added 09:37 - Apr 1 April 1st mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
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