Craig Bellamy swiftly put presenter Dave Jones in his place during a discussion on Monday Night Football. The Wales boss was on the show to discuss the weekend's action, including his old club Newcastle United's 3-0 win over Leicester City.
Bellamy also shared his experience as Wales manager, a role he took on in July after Rob Page's departure. Under his leadership, Wales have gone unbeaten in eight matches, with four wins and four draws, including a strong start to the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
However, when Jones referred to Wales as a "small football nation", former Newcastle United star Bellamy was quick to correct him. "No, no, I disagree," he said sharply, catching Jones off guard.
Regular MNF pundit Jamie Carragher, who was in the studio alongside Bellamy, chimed in with a cheeky comment, saying "start that again, Dave!"
Jones, who is a non-executive director at Sunderland, attempted to recover by rephrasing his description to "a big footballing nation" and then "a proud footballing nation". However, he still suggested that Wales weren't "high achieving" and lacked an "incredible history", reports the Mirror.
Bellamy countered by pointing out Wales' achievement in reaching the semi-finals of the European Championship in 2016. In a spirited exchange, Bellamy robustly dismissed the idea of being considered an underdog on the football scene: "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," he asserted.
Jones, clearly becoming slightly frustrated, persisted: "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."
Unwavering, Bellamy highlighted his desire to maintain national pride in their footballing culture: "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."
Setting the stage for an ambitious tenure, Bellamy elaborated on the ethos he intends to foster: "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."
He shared his strategy moving forward, emphasising development alongside heritage: "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 with a clear vision: "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."
