Craig Bellamy responded to a statement that Sky Sports presenter David Jones made during a heated moment on Monday Night Football. Bellamy’s response was taken in response to Jones’s comment.
During the match between Leicester City and Newcastle United, Bellamy, who had previously played for clubs like as Liverpool and Manchester City, joined Jamie Carragher on the match broadcast on MNF.
The forward who had previously played in the Premier League had a successful career, during which he scored 81 goals.
After finishing his career at his childhood club, Cardiff City, the proud Welshman went on to pursue a career in coaching and management following his retirement.
Following the hiring of Vincent Kompany, a former colleague of his at Manchester City, as manager of Anderlecht, he began his coaching career at Cardiff. After that, he became the under-21 manager for Anderlecht.
Bellamy was working as an assistant to Kompany prior to the two of them joining forces at Burnley. In the summer of 2024, the 45-year-old Bellamy was hired by Wales to fill the position of assistant manager.
Following the 3-0 victory that Newcastle achieved over Leicester, Bellamy gave a speech in which he discussed his role with the national team as well as his ideas on managing.
After the Sky anchor referred to Wales as a “small footballing nation,” he found himself in the middle of an uneasy exchange with Jones over their course of conversation.
He responded by saying: “You go into a smaller footballing nation…”
The response that Bellamy gave was, “No… I totally disagree with that.”
Carragher made a humorous contribution by saying, “Start that again, Dave!”
“You go into a ‘big’ footballing nation… it’s a proud footballing nation but it wouldn’t be classified as a high achieving [nation]…” Jones then framed his question differently, stating, “You go into a nation that is known for its footballing.”
In response, Bellamy brought up Wales’ Euro 2016 campaign, in which they were able to clinch a berth in the semi-finals, and then proceeded to refute the notion that Wales are considered to be “underdogs.”
The following is what he had to say: “I have never considered myself to be an underdog, and I will never do so now. I will not allow the players to ever believe that.”
“We’re there on merit, and I know the points you’re trying to make, but you understand the fact that I will not buy into it.”
When asked about trying to “change the culture” at Wales, Bellamy responded by saying, “It’s a culture that… we’re proud, and a lot of the nations are proud with it.”
In addition, football is a significant component of our culture. Although I am aware that we are unquestionably proud of the rugby, football is a game that is played extensively in our nation.
“What we’ve been able to build over the last number of years and that’s previous managers, but also Together Stronger [Wales mantra], there’s a real connection between the fans and the players, and also with the players and the fans.”
