Ex-Liverpool star shuts down Sky Sports presenter in awkward exchange over Wales comments

Craig Bellamy was a guest on Sky Sports' Monday Night Football coverage of Newcastle's 3-0 win over Leicester, and shut down presenter Dave Jones in an awkward exchange

Former Liverpool star Craig Bellamy didn’t hesitate to put Sky Sports host Dave Jones right after the Monday Night Football presenter implied he was at the helm of a "small football nation". The current Wales national team manager appeared on Sky Sports, analysing Newcastle's resounding 3-0 triumph against Leicester City in the Premier League.

In discussing his time as the Wales boss – a position he took over in July following Rob Page’s departure – Bellamy outlined his experience since stepping into the managerial role.

With an undefeated record from eight matches, including four victories and four draws, Bellamy has started his tenure strongly and has already secured four points from the first two qualifying games for the World Cup in 2026.

Jones received a swift correction from the Wales coach after posing Wales as a "smaller footballing nation”, reports Wales Online.

“No, no, I disagree," Bellamy firmly interjected immediately after Jones made the comment, which left the presenter slightly unsettled. This prompted ex-Liverpool colleague and pundit Jamie Carragher to jest: "Start that again, Dave!"

After a brief moment, Jones amended his terminology with a smile, initially referring to Wales as "a big footballing nation" before settling on "a proud footballing nation". He did, however, diminish their stature by stating they weren't "high achieving" and lacking an "incredible history".

Bellamy quickly pointed out the program's oversight, replying sharply: "Well, the semi-finals of Europe in 2016 I think gives us a little bit."

Jones pressed Bellamy for a third time, suggesting that his team is considered an underdog on the global football scene - a notion that Bellamy vehemently disagreed with once again.

"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," Bellamy asserted.

Jones, slightly taken aback, made one final attempt to make his point: "But this is what I'm trying to get to, that you're, really the first thing you're having to do is try to change the culture.

"It's a culture that, look, we're proud, a lot of nations are proud," Bellamy countered.

"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."

Bellamy went on to describe the connection between the fans, players, and previous managers, highlighting their success as a collective force. He said: "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."

Bellamy also acknowledged the gap between the team's current and desired playing style: "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."

He elaborated on the team's Nations League campaign and how it has set them up for the World Cup qualifiers: "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."

Bellamy concluded by revealing the core values he has instilled in the team since day one: "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."

Bellamy signed for Liverpool in June 2006 for £6million from Blackburn Rovers and played under Rafa Benitez before returning for a second spell in 2011 under Kenny Dalglish.