Craig Bellamy was an excellent footballer but he was also extremely volatile.

The retired Welsh forward - who played for a host of big clubs during his 18-year career, including Liverpool and Manchester City - was involved in a string of high-profile bust-ups with opponents and teammates.

Arguably the most famous incident occurred in 2007, shortly before a Champions League fixture between Liverpool and Barcelona.

The fiery Welshman attacked John Arne Riise with a golf club after the Norwegian defender refused to take part in a karaoke competition on a night out.

Bellamy went on to score at the Camp Nou and famously celebrated by swinging a pretend golf club.

Now 39, it appeared that Bellamy had calmed down and was no longer the same explosive character.

He’s impressed in his role as a pundit over the past couple of years and has also been working with Cardiff City’s Under-18s in the hope of one day becoming a first-team manager somewhere.

However, concerning details about Bellamy’s alleged behaviour have emerged, and the former Premier League star now finds himself in hot water as a result.

The Daily Mail understand that Bellamy has been accused of ‘bullying and intimidating’ a young English footballer with xenophobic behaviour in his role as U18s head coach at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Chairman Mehmet Dalman and chief executive Ken Choo are currently examining the details of an official complaint submitted to them.

Bellamy is accused of repeatedly making ‘anti-English gestures or remarks’, including using the insult 'English *****'.

It’s also claimed he turned off the sound when God Save The Queen was played as Cardiff’s youngsters watched the 2018 World Cup on television during a pre-season tour of Italy.

Another alleged incident saw Bellamy tell the players he hated Bristol City even more than Swansea because ‘they’re English’.

One English player in Bellamy’s ranks, who hasn’t even turned 18 yet, reportedly felt ‘intimidated and alienated’ by the alleged comments.

The Mail add that Bellamy’s manner is often aggressive, while his mood swings have made the English youngster ‘uncomfortable and nervous’, especially when the coach joins in training sessions.

The lad in question reportedly no longer wants to be coached by Bellamy and is now training at another club.

It’s also claimed that other players and staff members also have concerns about Bellamy’s behaviour.

One senior academy boss is understood to be ‘terrified’ of the former striker, who some at the club believe could become the Bluebirds' next head coach, and are reluctant to challenge him as a result.

If these allegations prove to be true, then Bellamy’s chances of becoming a manager in the Premier League or Football League are about to suffer a potentially fatal blow.