'Gobby troublemaker to meticulous coach' - Bellamy's evolution

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During his teenage years, Craig Bellamy had a knack for aggravating his teammates to the point that they once confined him in a restroom on the team bus.

If their intention was to silence him, they were unsuccessful.

Starting as a young troublemaker at Norwich City, Bellamy went on to thrill supporters at clubs like Liverpool, Newcastle United, and Manchester City throughout his career.

His time on the pitch included remarkable goals, but also incidents involving golf clubs, arguments during training, various controversies, and altercations.

Despite being known as a "hothead," the player who once made headlines is now a head coach who’s been characterized as "Mr Calm."

Thoughtful, perceptive, and articulate, Bellamy is surprising many with his successful first year leading Wales.

His goal is to guide his nation to the 2026 World Cup, with the next milestone being a friendly match against England on Thursday.

For most people, the Bellamy standing on the Wembley sidelines will appear to be a different individual from the fierce competitor he used to be.

However, this is not the case for those who know him best.

'Extremely confident, combative, determined' - Bellamy as the youthful rising star

Bellamy was born and grew up in Cardiff but departed his hometown at 15 to join Norwich.

Feeling homesick and "humiliated" by older players who were tough on him during practice, he signed his initial professional contract at 17, quickly attracting the attention of Premier League teams with his displays in the lower division, then known as the First Division.

"Bellers had an incredible intensity and focus; he clearly knew what he aimed to achieve even back then," recalls Iwan Roberts, Bellamy's partner in attack at Norwich and a fellow international player.

"He exuded confidence. Some of the guys perceived him as cocky or arrogant and couldn’t grasp why he had such assurance at a young age. But to me, it wasn't arrogance; he simply had immense confidence in his skills, and rightfully so.

“Don’t misunderstand, we did argue. He clashed with everyone! But being Welsh carries weight in football clubs, so we stick together. I would always defend him if any issues arose."

This was particularly true when Roberts retaliated against Wolves' Kevin Muscat after the Australian had severely injured Bellamy with a bad tackle - and it wasn’t just opponents who targeted the young player for retribution.

"He had an altercation with [former Norwich defender] Malky Mackay during a practice session, and while the size difference was significant, Bellamy was like a feisty little terrier," Roberts explains.

"Then there was an incident on our way to Bradford when Bryan Gunn and Bellers had a bit of a spat, and he was acting a little cheeky.

"This was likely one of his first away trips. Once you've made the coach journey a few times, you learn that if you need to use the restroom, you have to position your leg so they can't shut the door."

Craig enters the restroom, the door shuts, and the guys react with, "Oh no, he’s closed the door!" Instantly, they jump from their seats, grabbing the bins and setting them down. Clearly, Craig is attempting to open the door. He manages to poke just the tip of his nose out while swearing profusely.

He remained inside for about 45 minutes to an hour. In the initial five to ten minutes, there was a barrage of curses, then silence fell. One of the guys drafted a humorous contract stating, "I must not be disrespectful to the senior players again," which he had to sign before they would let him out. He signed it, but the moment he stepped out, he was back to his cheeky self!

Bellamy later admits that some of that bravado was a cover for his fear of failing. As a father at just 17, he knew he had to succeed—failure wasn't an option for him.

"He was incredibly professional," Roberts notes. "In my two decades as a player, there were very few like him, and he ranks among the best."

'Speed, professionalism, and a volatile temperament' - the Premier League years

It was during his time at Newcastle that the Premier League truly recognized Bellamy, showcasing his speed, potential, and his explosive temperament.

He arguably played the finest football of his career under the supportive mentorship of Sir Bobby Robson, who regarded Bellamy as both "a great player" and "the most talkative footballer I've ever encountered."

"He was very vocal and full of opinions," recalls Match of the Day analyst Shay Given, a former Newcastle goalkeeper who played alongside Bellamy more than with any other teammate during his career.

Given nearly took a chair to the head during a confrontation between Bellamy and Newcastle coach John Carver that escalated in an airport terminal.

"He did have a way of annoying people and often stole headlines," he explains.

"We all make mistakes, and he certainly made his share, but he was young, and there were various factors at play."

Robson was particularly adept at understanding that, which might explain why Bellamy regards the former England manager’s approach to handling players as something he wishes to emulate.

But perhaps Robson recognized beyond the facade that Bellamy now admits he crafted to mask his vulnerabilities.

Bellamy reflects that he often feels embarrassed when he recalls the furious footballer, prohibiting his teammates from expressing their frustration in the way he frequently did.

What remains consistent is the insistence on high standards – his "non-negotiables" – which were often the root of the conflicts that accompanied him.

"One thing that stands out about Craig, which many might overlook, is his level of professionalism," notes Given, who once humorously remarked that Bellamy "probably complains even in his sleep."

"While he did attract some negative press off the pitch, he was the epitome of professionalism when it came to preparing for matches and his determination to win.

"He would head home for lunch, and you could find Craig spending a few additional hours in the gym that afternoon, focusing on what he needed to do to safeguard his knees or address some of the injury challenges he faced.

"He wasn't always an easy teammate – we've likely had our disagreements over time – but I could match his banter in ways that might have fazed others.

"A lot of it involved calling out a few choice names during our shooting drills, but through it all, we pushed each other to perform at our best."

The grievances arose when Bellamy questioned whether the team was improving or if tasks were being carried out incorrectly.

"He always offered his perspective in the dressing room, as you can imagine," remarks Mark Hughes, who coached Bellamy while with Wales, Blackburn, and Manchester City.

"However, his insights were always valuable - and as you considered what he said, it became clear he understood the game and could identify what might have been going wrong during matches.

"You recognized that he could manage his own game – a quality not many players possess. Being able to do so is beneficial when you transition to a managerial role near the touchline."

'Some were treading lightly around him... now he’s the one in control'

Bellamy consistently aspired to improve, which brought a competitive edge and made his teammates cautious around him.

"The last thing you wanted to do during practice was lose possession," confesses Joe Ledley, who was just 17 when he joined the Wales squad, with Bellamy already firmly established.

"His commitment and work ethic were unparalleled. I gained a lot from it, and that's not always noticed.

"Yet he expected a high level from everyone in that squad, regardless of who you were - and if you made a mistake, he wouldn't hesitate to let you know."

Despite the universal acknowledgment of Ledley’s – and many others' – view that Bellamy's influence was crucial, there was still some apprehension about his temperament when he was considered for the Wales coaching role in 2018.

"He elevated the performance of everyone around him because of his high expectations," states Danny Gabbidon, a former teammate with both Wales and West Ham.

There were individuals who occasionally found it challenging to grasp his intentions or felt somewhat daunted by him, yet I believe he was somewhat misjudged. There was an aspect of his personality that could be rather unpleasant, but this often stemmed from a good place.

"You needed to peel back the layers a bit to fully understand him, but he was conscious of this, especially now in his managerial role."

As a manager, despite his past impulsiveness and temper, some teammates say he is now fulfilling his purpose.

"He was aware that some people felt like they were walking on eggshells around him, and likely, in hindsight, he doesn't want anyone to feel that way," comments Ashley Williams, the Match of the Day analyst who led Wales to Euro 2016 after Bellamy's retirement.

"However, I've come to realize after hanging up my boots that when you're in the game, you're operating at such a high intensity for an extended period. He was incredibly intense.

"Now that he is out of that environment, he can express a different side of himself. I had seen that side because I spent time with him in hotels during away matches, just having conversations, revealing that there was much more to him than just his outspoken nature or volatile moments."

This contrasts significantly with the unfiltered Bellamy who would captivate TV audiences and make headlines with his candid post-match interviews, interviews that Williams notes his teammates still view and chuckle over.

This is not just in reference to his time with Wales—his scathing critique following a defeat to Finland has become legendary—but also in the Premier League, where his live confrontations with Graeme Souness and John Terry stand out.

"I would have loved to express some of the things he articulated after matches—I definitely felt that urge at times," Williams reveals. "I don't believe he's any less straightforward; I think he is just managing it and articulating it more effectively."

"And when he talks, it feels as though he is speaking to the entire country."

'The football enthusiast transforming how his players perceive the game'

Bellamy has had a lifelong passion for watching and analyzing football—whether it was the World Cups he followed as a child or the countless hours of match footage he scrutinizes as a coach.

Throughout his time as a player, his intense ambition to excel sometimes manifested as fiery outbursts. As others have pointed out, although his fervor is still present, he has now mastered the art of keeping it in check.

This transformation is a gradual undertaking; Bellamy acknowledges that he is still on this journey, and his initial experience with coaching at Cardiff's academy served as a pivotal lesson.

The organization looked into a bullying accusation made against the former forward, which led him to resign from his position as head coach of the under-18 team.

Bellamy refuted and contested the claims made against him and was not subjected to any disciplinary action, but at the time, he expressed in a statement that he was "genuinely sorry" if he had upset anyone.

"Football has evolved significantly, especially regarding how to manage players. There's that lingering doubt that some might have—can he handle it, given the errors he made as a player?" remarks Gabbidon.

"However, you learn as you go, and I believe he has come to understand that if he wishes to pursue this path, change and adaptation are essential.

"That experience was undoubtedly an educational one for him, and those he has collaborated with since—such as Vincent Kompany, who is notably composed—have influenced his growth as well."

Bellamy was involved in Kompany's coaching teams at both Anderlecht and Burnley, and he attributes a significant part of his development to his former teammate at Manchester City, appreciating both his calm demeanor and his football insight.

This evolution in Bellamy was evident during his interview for the Wales coaching position.

While at Burnley's training facility, he impressed the Football Association of Wales' chief football officer, Dave Adams, and chief executive, Noel Mooney, with an extensive presentation covering every aspect of the national team, from tactical breakdowns to detailed evaluations of player performance data.

"You need to keep Craig very engaged," states Adams.

"He thrives on being involved in various activities, which is fantastic, as there are numerous meetings concerning tactical strategies and supporting the coaches during under-15s and under-16s camps in between training sessions.

"Craig needs a daily sense of purpose, which he has truly discovered in this role. We have provided him with an office at Dragon Park, giving him his own space to watch matches—something he does extensively—and to analyze opponents in a thorough manner.

"While international football may seem to allow for more free time, when you prepare in detail, watch players, visit clubs, and spend ample time with development teams, the position can expand into whatever scope you desire."

In contrast to some of his counterparts in the global football arena, Bellamy approaches the role with Wales as if it were a full-time job.

Players appreciate collaborating with him, whether during practice or in discussions. Harry Wilson has even remarked, "He's transformed my perspective on football."

Moreover, even Bellamy's interviews with the media can morph into in-depth tactical discussions, and his chats with former teammates often follow a similar vein.

"If you connect with him over the phone or engage in conversation, they could stretch on for hours, delving into the tiniest details," Williams notes.

"He could discuss goal kicks for hours and still keep your interest because his passion for football and its many nuances really shines through."

Not everyone perceives it this way, though, as they struggle to move past the fiery persona he once had.

"I'm not insane," Bellamy stated after leading Wales to the top of their Nations League group last year.

"I’m relatively rational. People had this image of me running onto the pitch and confronting the referee, getting sent off."

"I probably felt compelled to take on management to demonstrate I wasn't like that. The topic of temperament often came up. 'Oh yes, but his temperament.' And I thought: 'Really?' Now, you get to witness a different aspect of me."

So, is this a new version of Bellamy? A transformed, more mature individual who has navigated mental health struggles?

"This is genuine," says Williams, who believes that Premier League clubs have also taken note that beneath the caricature lies a contemporary, savvy, and remarkable manager.

Recently, Bellamy mentioned that he has "always been this individual," but only now has he chosen to showcase this side of himself.

It's not that he had to stash away his previous self—like his Norwich teammates did to him in that bus restroom many years ago—but he has discovered how to channel his inner intensity and employ it in a constructive manner.

As he stands under the bright lights of Wembley with Wales, Bellamy will embody his most authentic, significantly evolved self.