Dylan Lawlor: Cardiff boss Barry‑Murphy and Wales coach Bellamy 'so similar'
October 7, 2026 20:00
Dylan Lawlor says Cardiff head coach Brian Barry‑Murphy and Wales manager Craig Bellamy have very similar approaches to the game, a similarity he believes makes switching between club and country straightforward. "They are so similar so it's easy to switch between the two," Lawlor told the BBC's Welsh language podcast, Y Coridor Ansicrwydd (Corridor of Uncertainty).
HOW LAWlor EXPLAINED IT
Lawlor added that both coaches are "so detailed and see football the same way and to be honest it's the same way I see it." He also referenced comments by former Liverpool defender Andy Robertson contrasting Jurgen Klopp's focus on his own team's strengths with Arne Slot's opponent‑led approach, saying: "The most eye‑opening thing for me is that it's all about us... It's obvious to me at Cardiff and for Wales that it's all about us and not to worry about the opposition."
CONTEXT — CLUB AND INTERNATIONAL CAREER
Lawlor made his senior Cardiff debut in an FA Cup fifth‑round tie against Aston Villa in February 2025 and made his league debut as a second‑half substitute against Norwich City in the final game of that season. He has become a key member of Barry‑Murphy's Cardiff side, which the article says last season secured promotion to the Championship.
Barry‑Murphy was appointed Cardiff head coach in June 2025 following the club's relegation from the Championship at the end of the 2024‑25 season.
At international level, Bellamy handed Lawlor his first senior Wales cap in September 2025, when he made his debut against Kazakhstan. Lawlor has won six caps for Wales since that debut.
INJURY AND RETURN
Lawlor missed pre‑season and the start of Cardiff's Championship campaign because of a knee injury he suffered playing for Wales against Ghana in June. He returned as a substitute in Cardiff's Championship win over Charlton just before the recent international break but was not involved in Wales' four recent Nations League games. "To be honest I wasn't in the picture to be part of the camp," he said.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
Lawlor said he is focusing on recovering for Wales' November internationals against Portugal and Norway. He admitted he was "gutted" to miss the chance to face Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland in the recent fixtures and said: "Fingers crossed I will be able to play against them in November and prove myself against them."