• Published7 September 2026

Former Wales captain Ashley Williams and ex-Swansea boss Alan Sheehan have joined Craig Bellamy's backroom staff as assistant coaches before Wales' Nations League campaign.

Williams, 42, played 86 times for Wales and skippered the side during their memorable run to the Euro 2016 semi-final.

The former central defender, a Uefa A Licence holder, has recently been involved in coaching at several Wales age group camps but this is his first senior role.

Sheehan, 39, was sacked as head coach of Swansea in November 2025, the former Republic of Ireland youth international having previously been an assistant coach at Swansea, Southampton and Luton Town.

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    The appointments follow James Rowberry stepping down from his role on the Wales coaching staff because of commitments with Championship side Stoke City.

    Dutchman Piet Cremers also left his role in Bellamy's backroom staff in July to become the new head coach at Club NXT, Club Brugge's youth academy side.

    Former Wales international Andrew Crofts remains in his role as assistant coach following his recent appointment at Tottenham Hotspur.

    Wales kick-off their Nations League A campaign in Portugal on Thursday, 24 September before facing Denmark in Copenhagen on Sunday, 27 September.

    Bellamy, who was in talks to take the Burnley job in August, is scheduled to announce his squad on Tuesday, 15 September.

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