23 hours Ago By [email protected] (Samuel Meade)
Craig Bellamy admits his decision to become a manager was partly motivated by a desire to prove he's "not a lunatic". The Welshman is now managing his country after a well-travelled playing career. Bellamy was renowned for being, at times, aggressive and saw the red mist on more than one occasion.
Across the course of his career the ex-Newcastle and Manchester City forward was sent off twice and booked on 47 occasions. Now retired, Bellamy insists he's simmered and wanted to rid of the perception that had existed. The 45-year-old had been an assistant at Anderlecht and Burnley before taking a top job and is pleased that he's showing a different side to himself.
He said: "I probably feel it was important to show people I am not a lunatic - I'm quite sane. 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.
" Bellamy is yet to taste defeat in his six matches in charge, winning three and drawing three, but knows that eventually he will have to deal with difficult moments. It is then that he's determined to show that he can remain composed when emotions heighten. "You'll [the media] see me even calmer and kinder when it goes wrong," he added.
"Now is the worst period you can get me in because my emotions are everywhere. 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 happen. I know that and I have to stay calm with that.
" It is a far cry from the individual fans saw as a player on the pitch. Bellamy wasn't shy when it came to confronting a referee or bemoaning a decision by an official with Mark Clattenburg confessing the Welshman had a reputation among the referees. "He was always on the referees' radar," said the ex-Premier League official.
"When we'd draw up lists of who were the most difficult players, he was always leading it. I was lucky because he was playing for Newcastle and I couldn't referee them but then when he moved I was subject to him and how difficult he was." Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content.
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