Wales boss Craig Bellamy clashed with presenter Dave Jones on Monday Night Football after Jones called Wales a “smaller football nation.” Bellamy firmly disagreed, citing their Euro 2016 run and strong World Cup qualifying start. His passionate defence reflected pride in Wales’ progress since taking charge in July 2024.
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00:00Wales boss Craig Bellamy made headlines after a sharp exchange with Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones on Monday Night Football.
00:10During a segment covering his former team Newcastle United's 3-0 win over Leicester City,
00:16Bellamy was asked about his experiences in charge of the Welsh national team,
00:21a role he took up in July 2024 following Rob Page's departure.
00:26Since then, Bellamy has overseen a successful run with four wins and four draws from his eight matches in charge,
00:32including a solid start in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, earning four points from their first two games.
00:40The confrontation began when Jones suggested Wales was a smaller football nation, prompting a quick rebuttal from Bellamy.
00:48No, I disagree, he said firmly, leaving Jones momentarily caught off guard.
00:53Former Liverpool team-mate Jamie Carragher chimed in with a light-hearted,
00:57start that again, Dave, as Jones rephrased his comment, calling Wales a big footballing nation
01:03and later correcting it to a proud footballing nation.
01:08Jones also noted that Wales don't have an incredible history,
01:13a statement Bellamy swiftly countered, reminding him of their memorable semi-final run at Euro 2016.
01:19When Jones attempted to label Wales as an underdog in football,
01:25Bellamy outright rejected the idea.
01:28He said he'd never seen himself as an underdog and he never will now,
01:32emphasising Wales' position in world football is earned through merit.
01:36It's something different to what maybe he's been asked of Wales players before.
01:42And I'm listening, I'm not here to say this is right and that was wrong and there's no right or wrong.
01:46But how I look at the game, it was going to be a test for him and a test for the crowd and a test for use as well.
01:55We'll keep the ball moving.
01:56Now, for years we've seen that done to us.
01:59I didn't like it.
02:01With a strong start to their World Cup qualifying campaign,
02:06it's clear Wales are aiming to build on their historic moments
02:09and push for further success on the global stage.