Craig Bellamy guided Wales to Nations League promotion and then insisted it had been vital to prove that he was not a “lunatic”.
Bellamy extended his unbeaten run to six games – the best start by a Wales manager – as the Dragons recovered from conceding an early goal to beat Iceland 4-1 in Cardiff.
Turkey’s shock 3-1 defeat in Montenegro saw Wales leapfrog them at the top of Group B4 and boost their 2026 World Cup qualification hopes.
“I probably feel it was important to show people I am not a lunatic, I’m quite sane,” said Bellamy, whose temperament during a colourful playing career at the top level often got him into trouble.
“People thought I was going to be running on the pitch and pushing the ref and stuff, getting sent off.
“I probably felt more pushed into management to show I am not like that. People used to bring temperament up. ‘Oh yeah, but his temperament.’ I was like: ‘Really?’ Now you get to see this side of me.
“But you (media) were concerned, you were thinking: ‘I wonder what he’s going to be like?’ I understand that as well.
“You’ll see me even calmer and kinder, when it goes wrong … now is the worst period you can get me in, because my emotions are everywhere.
That tastes like promotion 🍾#UNL | #TogetherStronger pic.twitter.com/hNzvABMln6
— Wales 🏴 (@Cymru) November 19, 2024
“Trust me, you get nowhere being that way. I’m not naive enough to know those moments aren’t coming.
“I don’t know when but it’s going to happen. I feel like some are waiting for it to happen. I know that and I have to stay calm with that.”
Bellamy was actually booked in the second half for complaining to the fourth official with Wales leading 2-1 through Liam Cullen’s brace – his first international goals.
Andri Gudjohnsen had given Iceland a seventh-minute lead, but Wales coasted home after Brennan Johnson and Harry Wilson – with his fourth goal of the Nations League campaign – produced delicious strikes.
Wales are now effectively guaranteed a World Cup play-off, if needed, as the seventh best Nations League group winners.
Bellamy said: “We want to go to a World Cup. We’ve got to get that ticked off. If we get there, we want to compete.
“These players deserve to be there competing because of their buy-in. They are in. When you have a group like that, their togetherness and who they are as people.
“I think I’m quite a humble person, some don’t know me. This group make you humble.
“We had a member of staff whose close relative passed away, players donated in memory of him.”
Bellamy said he was unaware of Wales leading the group until the Cardiff City Stadium crowd began singing ‘we are the top of the league’ and ‘Montenegro’.
“I heard the fans and thought this could actually be a good night,” said Bellamy.
“What I liked was when we went 1-0 down we were able to play and we moved the ball.
“The crowd got a little bit edgy, it’s not normal here to be playing that way. That was the most important thing, we were able to play chests out.
“Maybe we’re not a team that can keep the ball but we were. We believe we’re able to carve our way open in the game. When you look at the mentality of the players, they deserved to finish top.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. PORTUGAL WIN THE UEFA NATIONS LEAGUE ON PENALTIES Nuno Mendes 😎 Anti Right Winger Morata : Me again? Congratulations Portugal & Ronaldo Kepa in Arsenal be like I am sorry. Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: BleacherReportFootball, Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball)...
PSG get talks underway with Bournemouth for ZabarnyiFabrizio Romano reports that PSG are determined to sign Ilya Zabarnyi this summer. While talks are underway with Bournemouth, the two clubs have not yet reached an agreement. The player remains keen to join Les Parisiens.Everton join Newcastle in race to sign GrealishEverton are interesting in acquiring the services of Manchester City outcast Jac...
WHAT HAPPENED?Napoli striker Osimhen has reportedly made up his mind on his future, and it seems like it won't include a sensational move to the Middle East. This comes from a scoop from journalist Buchi Laba, who reports that Osimhen has rejected a fifth offer from Saudi side Al-Hilal and would rather continue his career in Europe.THE BIGGER PICTURELaba claims that Osimhen is not interested in a ...
France captain Kylian Mbappe says he is satisfied with his side bouncing back from their Nations League loss to Spain in the third-placed play-off.Les Bleus finished the campaign with a win over Germany, thanks to goals from the Real Madrid star and Michael Olise.And while there was a lot to like about the French performance in Stuttgart, Mbappe took a balanced approach to things in his post-match...
WHAT HAPPENED?The German club have asked to be kept up to date on Sancho's situation, with the Man Utd outcast being touted as a possible replacement for Chelsea target Jamie Gittens, as per Sky Sports. Sancho has already re-joined the club from Manchester United once - a six-month loan spell at the end of last season - and could yet return for a third spell with the German giants. Chelsea paid a ...
Jobe Bellingham of Sunderland celebrates getting promoted back to the Premier LeagueEngland U21 midfielder Jobe Bellingham has agreed terms to leave Sunderland for Borussia Dortmund in a deal reported at around 331 million including add-ons.The Bedlington-born starlet joins the German club on a five-year contract following Sunderland's promotion to the Premier League.Dortmund has reportedly agreed...
Brian Priske has chosen to return to Sparta PragueBrian Priske has returned to Sparta Prague to take up the position as head coach, say the Czech club on their website."We are pleased to announce the appointment of our new head coach. We welcome Brian, who knows the environment in the club. We strongly believe that he will build on the successful work he has delivered in the past and help Sparta w...
Borussia Dortmund keen on signing Jadon SanchoBorussia Dortmund are weighing up a fresh move for Jadon Sancho amid uncertainty over his future at Manchester United.The Bundesliga side have requested to be kept informed about the Englishman’s status at Old Trafford, with the out-of-favour winger seen as a potential replacement for Chelsea-linked Jamie Gittens, according to Sky Sports.Sancho i...
Gravenberch names his 2025 Ballon d'Or favouriteRyan Gravenberch shared his 2025 Ballon d'Or choice, backing his Liverpool teammate Mohamed Salah to win the prestigious award.The Egypt international was the frontrunner for the 2025 Ballon d'Or during the first half of the season, topping both the goals and assists charts in the Premier League.0"That's a tough one, but I'll go for my teammate: Moha...
Uriah RennieUriah Rennie, the first black man to referee in the Premier League, has died at the age of 65.WHAT HAPPENED?In August 1997, Rennie was named as the referee for a Premier League game between Derby County and AFC Wimbledon and made history as the division's first ever black referee. He went on to officiate over 300 top-flight games across 11 years, as well as refereeing domestic cup fina...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Marcus Rashford 'grows close' to stunning semi-pro padel player
- 3 Why Premier League transfer may be off the cards for Victor Osimhen as Man Utd make 'timid' attempts to convince striker
- 4 Chukwueze reveals cause of AC Milan’s ‘disastrous’ season
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 FIFA confirms 34 team base camp training sites in the United States for 2025 Club World Cup, including nine in Florida and five in Calitornia
- 7 Man Utd continue to be linked with Emi Martinez
- 8 Daily Laugh - Morata : Me again?
- 9 Daily Laugh - Mbeumo and his amazing talent
- 10 Liverpool's dream transfer window with six signings including £100m striker