Piet Cremers: Wales coach changed ‘everything’ for Craig Bellamy
As well as Kramers, Bellamy’s other backroom staff include his former Wales team-mate and current Brighton first-team coach Andrew Crofts, former Newport manager James Rowley, England Goalkeeping coach Martin Magson and former Wales performance director Rylan Morgans.
Although he just turned 30 last month, Kramers already has a decade of experience as a coach and analyst.
As well as playing for NEC Nijmegen, Rotterdam Excelsior and NAC Breda in his hometown, the Dutchman also spent a year at Brentford before longer spells at Manchester City and Burnley time.
At Manchester City, Cremers rose from under-23 performance analyst to head of performance analysis and insights for the first team. It was in this role that he worked alongside legendary former Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, who won six Premier League titles, the Champions League and 11 other trophies during his eight years in Manchester.
“He’s been Pep’s analyst for four or five years, day in and day out, so his insight is truly incredible,” Bellamy said.
“Being able to tap into that – I’m not a little Pep, if you know what I mean, I have a different approach, no one is him – but to get the insight and see his perspective, it makes you look holding something.
“Because what we (Kremers and Bellamy) are seeing is so consistent, that’s also where I find comfort. Do you understand? Am I angry here? If I tell you some shapes and show you Some, you’re like, “This is crazy.” But he puts it into practice – “No, this is actually the right thing to do, this is how we do it.”
“That’s why I say the things about the formation. If I showed you how we played against other people, you’d say ‘you can’t do that’. But I’ve seen his work and I’m like ‘Wow. This works, this is serious’.
Bellamy behaves naturally when he talks about football and its complex tactics.
Some of his answers could turn into four- or five-minute monologues about style of play or counter-pressing; the former Wales captain didn’t surface until he laughed and apologized for going off topic.
But his enthusiasm is contagious and it’s clear how much inspiration he draws from other coaches.
“I probably wouldn’t, but I’d love to sit here and take the credit, but it’s him (Kremers), (Andrew) Crofts, Rob (James Rowbury),” Bellamy said .
“The guys I was able to bring in, that’s them. The honest truth. I’m just here for you guys, I’m the guy that can do the media.
“I don’t believe it’s just one shiny guy, it’s the people around you. When you work as a team you find solutions much easier. That way I feel this is the best solution ”
