‘I will not buy into that’ – Craig Bellamy immediately shuts down presenter’s question on Wales

Craig Bellamy has refuted claims that Wales are perennial underdogs and that he has taken charge of a ‘small footballing nation’. The 45-year-old took over the Dragons last July and has guided them to Nations League A promotion after topping their group. Bellamy has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his managerial career overseeing WalesGetty He has also overseen Wales scooping four points from a possible six in their opening two World Cup qualifiers. From his eight matches in charge, Bellamy is yet to taste defeat – winning four and drawing on as many occasions. Despite Wales being his first managerial job, his methods and philosophy have quickly transcended onto the pitch. And he now has his eyes set on sealing Wales’ passage into back-to-back World Cups for the first time in their history. Bellamy appeared on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football coverage of Leicester’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle where he commented on the task of managing Wales. And he was quick to let host Dave Jones know what he thought after his country was labelled as a ‘small footballing nation’, despite qualifying for three major tournaments in the last nine years. The ex-Liverpool striker, who scored 19 goals in 78 caps for Wales between 1998-2013, instantly said: “No. I disagree with that.” It led to laughter from pundit and ex-Reds teammate Jamie Carragher, who simply stated: “Start that again Dave.” Correcting himself to labelling Wales as a ‘proud footballing nation’, Jones then suggested that the Dragons were not ‘high-achieving’. Once again quick to shut Jones down, Bellamy remarked: “Semi-finals of Europe in 2016, I think we’ve seen success a little bit.” Bellamy has the task of guiding Wales to World Cup 2026 qualificationPA He has made a fine start to his career at Wales since taking over last year And Bellamy was then quick to shut Jones down after he was told he has taking over a Wales side who are seen as underdogs. He said: “I’ve never looked myself as an underdog, and I never will do now – and I won’t allow the players to 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.” Pressed on his task of ‘changing the culture’ at Wales, Bellamy continued: “It’s a culture that… we’re proud, a lot of the 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 [Wales mantra], there’s a real connection between the fans and the players, and also with the players and the fans. Bellamy is looking to manage in a major international tournament having never played in one for WalesGetty “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 – and I know the gap. “I’m realistic enough, Nations League was to try and bring that a little bit closer and get us in a position so we can attack the World Cup qualifiers. “But from day one, when I spoke to the players, I wanted to create an identity, I want us to have courage, I was us to have enjoyment – we have to enjoy this. “And when we talk about build-up – get on the ball! “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.”

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‘I will not buy into that’ – Craig Bellamy immediately shuts down presenter’s question on Wales

Craig Bellamy has refuted claims that Wales are perennial underdogs and that he has taken charge of a ‘small footballing nation’.

The 45-year-old took over the Dragons last July and has guided them to Nations League A promotion after topping their group.

Bellamy has enjoyed an unbeaten start to his managerial career overseeing Wales

He has also overseen Wales scooping four points from a possible six in their opening two World Cup qualifiers.

From his eight matches in charge, Bellamy is yet to taste defeat – winning four and drawing on as many occasions.

Despite Wales being his first managerial job, his methods and philosophy have quickly transcended onto the pitch.

And he now has his eyes set on sealing Wales’ passage into back-to-back World Cups for the first time in their history.

Bellamy appeared on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football coverage of Leicester’s 3-0 defeat to Newcastle where he commented on the task of managin g Wales.

And he was quick to let host Dave Jones know what he thought after his country was labelled as a ‘small footballing nation’, despite qualifying for three major tournaments in the last nine years.

The ex-Liverpool striker, who scored 19 goals in 78 caps for Wales between 1998-2013, instantly said: “No. I disagree with that.”

It led to laughter from pundit and ex-Reds teammate Jamie Carragher, who simply stated: “Start that again Dave.”

Correcting himself to labelling Wales as a ‘proud footballing nation’, Jones then suggested that the Dragons were not ‘high-achieving’.

Once again quick to shut Jones down, Bellamy remarked: “Semi-finals of Europe in 2016, I think we’ve seen success a little bit.”

Bellamy has the task of guiding Wales to World Cup 2026 qualification

He has made a fine start to his career at Wales since taking over last year

And Bellamy was then quick to shut Jones down after he was told he has taking over a Wales side who are seen as underdogs.

He said: “I’ve never looked myself as an underdog, and I never will do now – and I won’t allow the players to 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.”

Pressed on his task of ‘changing the culture’ at Wales, Bellamy continued: “It’s a culture that… we’re proud, a lot of the 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 [Wales mantra], there’s a real connection between the fans and the players, and also with the players and the fans.

Bellamy is looking to manage in a major international tournament having never played in one for Wales

“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 – and I know the gap.

“I’m realistic enough, Nations League was to try and bring that a little bit closer and get us in a position so we can attack the World Cup qualifiers.

“But from day one, when I spoke to the players, I wanted to create an identity, I want us to have courage, I was us to have enjoyment – we have to enjoy this.

“And when we talk about build-up – get on the ball!

“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.”