Sir Bobby Robson once said: "I know he can be a pain, but he never caused me any trouble.
"I knew how to handle him, and we had respect for each other."
But, if you believe the reports today, Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has had a run-in with the former Toon striker.
Not that he wants to admit it.
And he says Bellamy could be available for selection against Liverpool on Sunday.
The Italian has denied a report of a serious rift with the striker, who has been sidelined with a knee injury.
However Mancini said they had a difference of opinion about the way the problem was being managed.
According to the report, Mancini screamed at Bellamy after the player refused a request to train on Thursday with one of the manager's Italian staff.
The Italian apparently then told him not to come back from three months.