Bellamy says Wales 'stick' hurt as Norway win lifts mood
BBC HomepageSkip to contentAccessibility HelpYour accountHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsMore menuMore menuSearch BBCHomeNewsSportEarthReelWorklifeTravelCultureFutureMusicTVWeatherSoundsClose menu BBC SportMenuHomeFootballCricketFormula 1Rugby UTennisGolfCyclingAthleticsMoreA-Z SportsAmerican FootballAthleticsBasketballBoxingCricketCyclingDartsDisability SportFootballFormula 1Gaelic GamesGolfGymnasticsHorse RacingMixed Martial ArtsMotorsportNetballRugby LeagueRugby UnionSnookerSwimmingTennisFull Sports A-ZMore from SportEnglandScotlandWalesNorthern IrelandQuizzesNews FeedsHelp & FAQsWelsh FootballScores & FixturesMen's TableWomen's TableWalesBellamy speaks out over criticism after Norway winImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Craig Bellamy led Wales to a first Nations League A victory in their ninth game in the competition's top tier Head coach Craig Bellamy says he has been through a "really difficult" spell because of criticism aimed in his direction during Wales' winless run. Bellamy's Wales claimed the finest result of his reign as they came from behind to beat Norway 2-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday. The victory ended a six-game winless run which began with defeat by Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup play-off semi-final in March. When asked whether Wales' success had lifted a weight off his shoulders, Bellamy revealed he had "felt the stick" ever since the Bosnia loss. "The summer wasn't easy, then these games weren't easy," he said. "But I've seen it; I've drawn on experience because I've seen managers before me get it. "I've been part of that, and I've seen the abuse. I've seen the abuse the previous manager got just before me, and I have to be honest, it's been a really difficult couple of months." Watch on iPlayerListen on SoundsLive on BBC iPlayer, BBC Two Wales, BBC Sounds, BBC Radio Wales, Radio Cymru and 5 Live, BBC Sport website and app, plus live text commentary. Former Wales striker Bellamy, who was appointed national boss in July 2024, faced criticism from some fans after holding talks over a potential move to Burnley in June. In a lengthy news conference after the Norway triumph, he said he feels people "could be kinder to each other" after revealing the negativity aimed at him had also affected his family. "It's not me but I have kids and a wife; it's for them - they see it," he said. "I've lived in this environment and I had it as a player, but I think there's ways we can speak to people, and just because it's the game we love, it doesn't give us the right to think we can say whatever we want to. "We're such a small country, I'm like... why can't we have each other's backs? Why don't we look after each other more? Maybe that's me. "I'm not saying everyone's above criticism, far from it. But I think it's too easy, and we're too quick." Bellamy said he did not "want to spoil" the upbeat mood after Wales' morale-boosting win, which was the first against a nation ranked higher in the world since he took charge and the country's first in the top tier of the Nations League. "I'm really happy with it, but I'm happy for the country, you understand?" he added. "It's like, I give everything for my country. Everything. I turned down big money to keep doing this. I love doing this." PreviousNext0:23'Bring it on!' - Hong Kong China ready for 2027 World Cup. 00:00:23, play video'Bring it on!' - Hong Kong China ready for 2027 World Cup1:12Why has Ronaldo walked out? 00:01:12, play videoWhy has Ronaldo walked out?1:19Have we seen the end of Ronaldo's Portugal career? 00:01:19, play videoHave we seen the end of Ronaldo's Portugal career?0:38AJ reassures fans that Fury fight will happen... 00:00:38, play videoAJ reassures fans that Fury fight will happen...1:16How should Man City be punished? 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Source: BBC Sport
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