New Wales coach Chris Coleman has publicly praised Liverpool striker Craig Bellamy for his support during an emotional day in Cardiff yesterday.
Coleman managed the Welsh national team for the first time since the death of previous manager Gary Speed, who died last year.
The Welsh lost 1-0 to Costa Rica at the Millennium Stadium in a Memorial Game for the late Speed.
Coleman later described how a “mature” Bellamy, who captained his country, gave him emotional support for the night.
“I wasn’t looking forward to it,” the former Fulham boss explained. “Craig Bellamy texted me yesterday [Tuesday] and said let’s have a cup of coffee so we got together and had a chat.
“He has known me a long time and he is basically telling me to pull my finger out because I’ve not been myself for two or three days.
“He knows what I’m like and I wasn’t what I’m like as he knows I wasn’t looking forward to it – for all the right reasons.”
It is not yet known if Bellamy will continue playing for his country following Speed’s death.
Fan Comments