Craig Bellamy didn’t hold back when he corrected presenter Dave Jones live on air Monday evening. The Wales manager, who joined the Sky Sports panel to analyse the weekend’s matches and Newcastle’s emphatic 3-0 victory against Leicester City with Jamie Carragher, also offered a glimpse into his tenure as Wales boss since taking over in July after Rob Page’s departure. Under his lead, Wales has maintained an unbeaten run over eight games, enjoying four wins and four draws, notching up a solid beginning in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers by securing four points from the initial two matches.
However, the situation heated up when the Monday Night Football host suggested Bellamy was steering a “small football nation”, prompting the 45-year-old to swiftly counter. “No, no, I disagree,” exclaimed Bellamy sharply, directly confronting Jones’ assertion. Taken aback by the potent retort, fellow pundit and former Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher added a touch of humour with: “Start that again, Dave!”
Jones, seeking to backtrack, switched his wording to “a big footballing nation” with a smile, and then to “a proud footballing nation” whilst still insinuating Wales were not “high achieving” or synonymous with an “incredible history”.
Bellamy didn’t miss a beat, firing back: “Well, the semi-finals of Europe in 2016 I think gives us a little bit.” Bellamy fiercely rejected the suggestion that his country are seen as underdogs in international football.
He said: “I’ve never looked at myself as an underdog and I never will do now and I won’t allow the players to believe that, you know we’re there on merit.
As Jones pressed on, trying to delve into the cultural shift within the team, Bellamy responded: “It’s a culture that, look, we’re proud, a lot of nations are proud. Football is a huge part of our culture as well. I know we’re definitely proud of the rugby but football is a huge game in our country.”
“What we’ve been able to build over the last number of years, and that’s previous managers, but also Together Stronger. There’s a real connection between the fans and the players and also with the players and the fans. And to be able to come into that…
“Now of course I was fully aware of how they played before, compared to how I’m looking to play them, I know the gap, I’m realistic enough.
“The Nations League was to try and bring that a little bit closer and get us in a position so that we can attack the World Cup qualifiers.”
“But from day one, it was you know like, when I spoke to the players I wanted to create an identity, I want us to have courage, I want us to have enjoyment, we have to enjoy this you know.
“When I talk about build up, get on the ball! Now I’ll give you the options about being side-on, making sure we’re scanning, timing, you name it, we can get all that right but you have to enjoy it.”
This story first appeared on the Mirror
