Would Craig Bellamy make a good Cardiff City manager?

Would Craig Bellamy make a good Cardiff City manager? The case for and against...

10/11/2015

By Steve Tucker

Media Wales

After Jay Bothroyd argued Bellamy should become Bluebirds boss, we analyse the pros and cons of the Cardiff legend taking up the post at his home-town club one day.

Craig Bellamy was the talking point amongst Cardiff City fans after his appearance in the director’s box at the 2-0 victory over Reading sparked intense speculation.

The club moved to assure everyone he was just a guest of the club for the match, but, for many fans the 36-year-old is the man they want to see take over as manager in the Welsh capital.

The speculation has intensified after former fans' idol Jay Bothroyd argued Bellamy should become manager with immediate effect.

Bellamy is a legend at his home-town club, having had two spells there as a player, helping to finally guide the Bluebirds to the Premier League.

He has spoken openly about his love of the club and his desire one day to go into management. But would Bellamy be a good appointment by Cardiff?

Here we look at reasons for and against him taking the Bluebirds hot-seat.

THE CASE FOR CRAIG
Backing from the fans

Bellamy would get the instant backing of Bluebirds supporters and immediately galvanise the club’s fan base. He was on the terraces of Ninian Park himself as a youngster and is massively respected by supporters.

He had always vowed one day to play for Cardiff and he honoured that pledge. Bluebirds fans have been beleaguered in recent years, the appointment of Bellamy would provide a massive lift and boost flagging crowds.

Command respect

Bellamy would also have the instant respect of the Cardiff dressing room, on top of that of the fans. His glittering career at club level and for Wales commands that.

Having played for the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Manchester City in England, and at Celtic in Scotland, no Cardiff player would need to ask what the new boss had done in the game. Bellamy could certainly show them his medals.

Tactically astute

Bellamy has always been a keen student of the game and has a great insight into it. He can talk with great clarity and intelligence about tactics and formations and just how football works in general.

Bellamy has often proved an entertaining, enlightening and honest pundit on TV. These are attributes he could bring to Cardiff.

Knows what makes club tick

He knows Cardiff City as a club from top to bottom having played there and worked as an academy coach since retiring.

Bellamy’s knowledge of the youth system would be invaluable. Already being aware about the young talents at the club would mean the youngsters could be nurtured and brought through to the first team. Bellamy is the type of person unafraid to give youth a chance.

Exciting football

As a player, Bellamy was passionate, aggressive and forward thinking. These are the same attributes he would bring to his Cardiff side. Bellamy’s Bluebirds would most likely be good on the eye and with the emphasis very much on goals, the style of play would excite supporters. It would certainly be interesting watching a Bellamy side battle it out in the Championship.

THE CASE AGAINST CRAIG
Lack of experience

Bellamy obviously has no experience as a manager at any level, let alone in the Championship. That could well prove a problem when he needs to pit his wits against some of the wise old managers the second-tier has to offer.

That said, being new to the management game has not stopped a glut of other young former pros making a success of their first job... including down the road at Swansea

Fiery character

Being a manager at a high level takes a certain kind of temperament. Down the years Bellamy has courted his fair share of controversy and been involved in incidents on and off the pitch.

The passion and aggression he often displayed was a vital aspect of his playing style, but when it comes to management and working closely with players, any moments of petulance or discord could lead to problems.

It's too soon

The simple fact is Bellamy might not want the Bluebirds job yet and he can hardly be forced into it. Bellamy is a perfectionist in many ways and has always spoken about working his way up through the managerial ranks rather than just stepping into a high-profile role straight away.

The time might not yet be right for Bellamy to take charge of his home-town club.

Would he get on with Tan?

The particular problem at Cardiff could be the rapport between Bellamy and the club’s hierarchy. Bellamy is very opinionated and a free spirit in many ways which right at this moment in time might make him and Bluebirds owner Vincent Tan rather strange bedfellows.

Tan is often portrayed as an owner who wants a big say in the way things are run. That might not sit well with Bellamy and could well lead to friction.

Great players don’t make great bosses

Bellamy was a great player, but as we know, great players do not always make great managers. The list is detailed, think of Maradona, Bobby Charlton even Tony Adams.

In the Premier League today you struggle to think of too many top-class players who are making a success of things as manager. Mark Hughes is an obvious exception to the rule, but there aren’t many others.

The problem seems to be that talented players find it frustrating and difficult to work with players not having the football gifts they once did. Bellamy could well experience that in the Championship, which standard wise is light years away from the Premier League where he spent the bulk of his own playing career.

cant believe they are doing this when we have a manager.

so disrespectful

cant believe they are doing this when we have a manager.
Do we?
so disrespectful

We have a guy Impersonating a manager that's for sure

I agree

While not ideal to most - he is our manager(too be honest, i had fault with MM, OGS and DJ too).
As supporters we are entitled to praise or moan when appropriate but he is completely being hung out by everyone and anyone who has a keyboard!

I agree

While not ideal to most - he is our manager(too be honest, i had fault with MM, OGS and DJ too).
As supporters we are entitled to praise or moan when appropriate but he is completely being hung out by everyone and anyone who has a keyboard!

my response was to Pauls post regarding the disrespect - and I agree.

(whether Slade is shite or not)

Impossible to know as he has'nt managed a club yet. Certainly does'nt have the experience Slade has. This sort of topic serves no real purpose as we already have a manger, who like him or hate him, has his side just outside the play off places despite having to off load players and cut down on wages. I'm no fan of Slade, but this sort of constant chat about potential replacements can't really have much of a positive impact on the club. We are still in contention, and the next month or so will tell us which direction we are heading in. Don't think Slade is going anywhere in the short term.

We don't know because he has never managed a club. I cant argue with his desire and his knowledge of the game, but my concern would be how he would deal with the players, press, agents and fans on a day to day basis. Some ex players make it some don't. My gut feeling is Bellamy would be another Roy Keane.

Yep we would be 6 points clear and lots of new players playing if bellers was here.....Oh that's only on here that happens

Nobody knows until tested although I cant see him working under the dictator tbh and that's why we ended up with slade to start with

Always loved Bellamy, he would definitely have the passion but no championship experience.

For me, he has No experience at all, So No.

A great player, does not always guarantee a good manager.

For me, he has No experience at all, So No.

A great player, does not always guarantee a good manager.

Agree

Who knows? he is not a manager yet it could go either way.

For me, he has No experience at all, So No.

A great player, does not always guarantee a good manager.

Bryan Robson and Roy Keane spring to mind. Fantastic players but shit managers.

For me, he has No experience at all, So No.

A great player, does not always guarantee a good manager.

He wouldn't work under tan dictating imo

No, I think his manmanagement skills would be lacking........maybe see how he does lower down the leagues

cant believe they are doing this when we have a manager.
Do we?
so disrespectful

We have a guy Impersonating a manager that's for sure

He's impersonated us to 7th place, so exceeding your expectations thus far is he not?

For me, he has No experience at all, So No.

A great player, does not always guarantee a good manager.

He wouldn't work under tan dictating imo

Ian, that's very true

Think he needs to be a coach under Slade before manager .

For me, he has No experience at all, So No.

A great player, does not always guarantee a good manager.

Bryan Robson and Roy Keane spring to mind. Fantastic players but shit managers.

Spot on Norm

The man has no managerial experience at all and to me is not passionate about our club so won't do a Garry Monk.

No

cant believe they are doing this when we have a manager.

so disrespectful

Agree totally, whatever you think about Russell Slade, he is our manager and this sort of 'journalism' is indeed disrespectful and divisive.

cant believe they are doing this when we have a manager.

so disrespectful

Agree totally, whatever you think about Russell Slade, he is our manager and this sort of 'journalism' is indeed disrespectful and divisive.

its one thing people speculating on an internet forum, thats what its there for at the end of the day. but to print it online/in a paper like this is just terrible in fairness. Its no wonder Slade is losing patience with some of the media

Local media always been the shame, awful journalism.

Another Solscaer

I'd rather Mark Hudson as manager. A true leader who loves the city, loves the fans, helped take us up and more of a Bluebird than Bellamy ever was or will be.

Him and Tan would clash too much IMO. Would love him here though, need that passion, although the players have shown signs of that this season so far, not enough though.