Bellamy adds Crofts to new-look Wales coaching team

Andrew Crofts won 29 caps for Wales before moving into coaching at Brighton

New Wales boss Craig Bellamy has added former international teammate and now Brighton first-team coach Andrew Crofts to his coaching staff.

James Rowberry, the former Newport County head coach who now works for the Football Association of Wales (FAW), is another to join Bellamy's staff having worked with the ex-Wales captain during his time with Cardiff City’s academy.

Piet Cremers, who worked under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, and Wales' former head of performance, Ryland Morgans, have also been appointed as assistant coaches.

“I’m very happy with the group of staff that we’ve been able to bring in," said Bellamy.

"I’ve worked with all of them previously, either as a coach or as a player. As a collective I believe the balance and various expertise between us is the best we could have asked for.

"The work off camp has been great so far and I can’t wait for us to meet up with the players and get things started with them."

Bellamy, who was appointed Wales head coach in July following Rob Page's sacking in June, is also aiming to secure a return for ex-England goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson – but that deal might take a little longer to finalise.

There is no place in the senior set-up for Chris Gunter, one of Page's assistant coaches, but the 109-cap former defender is expected be involved with Wales' age-grade teams.

Page's other assistants, Alan Knill, Nick Davies and Jack Lester, have also departed, in addition to goalkeeping coach, Tony Roberts.

Other members of the backroom staff – including those in the medical, analysis and fitness departments – are expected to stay.

Bellamy got to know Crofts when they played together for Wales, and he has recruited the 40-year-old having been impressed by Brighton and their progressive style of play in the Premier League under recent bosses Roberto De Zerbi and Graham Potter.

In May, former Norwich City and Brighton midfielder Crofts told BBC Sport Wales' Feast of Football podcast about the influence De Zerbi – now in charge of Marseille – has had on his coaching career.

Crofts will combine the role with his job at Brighton.

"I’m very proud," said Crofts. "As soon as I knew there was an opportunity to be Craig’s assistant it grabbed me straight away.

"To represent Wales as a player was incredible for me and my family, and to now represent my country as an assistant coach is an indescribable feeling."

Margetson will also combine his international work with a club role at Swansea City, having left the Wales set-up to join England in 2016.

The former Manchester City and Cardiff keeper earned praise for his work with the likes of Jordan Pickford, having been part of Gareth Southgate's England staff for more than 100 games.

Now Southgate has departed as England boss, Margetson is available and Bellamy is keen to recruit the Welshman to his new-look backroom team.

Like Margetson, Morgans was part of the staff when Wales reached the semi-finals of Euro 2016.

The former Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Everton and Swansea coach spent eight years with the FAW and, since 2018, has worked with Ivory Coast and CSKA Moscow.

“It’s great to be working with the FAW again. The Euro 2016 journey was a career highlight," said Morgans.

"Working with some of those players, as well as the new faces, is a challenge I’m really excited for."

Dutchman Cremers was head of performance analysis and insights at Manchester City under Guardiola for four years, before working alongside Bellamy as an assistant coach to Vincent Kompany at Burnley.

"I'm very excited to be joining the Cymru [Wales] set-up and working with Craig again," said Cremers.

"Having come through the FAW coach education system and worked in club football with Manchester City and Burnley in recent years, this is a great opportunity to return to Wales, work with this exciting group of players and staff and bring my experience into international football."

Bellamy's first game as Wales head coach will be a home Nations League match against Turkey on Friday, 6 September, followed by a trip to Montenegro three days later.