Stoke assistant manager explains decision as he steps back from Wales duty

Stoke City assistant manager James Rowberry has confirmed he is stepping down from the same position with Wales to dedicate his time solely to club football.

The 41-year-old has worked with Craig Bellamy since early 2024 and has combined that job with his role at Stoke supporting Mark Robins since New Year's Day, 2025. During that time Wales have missed out on qualifying for both the European Championships and World Cup in play-off matches.

Rowberry started coaching at the age of 21 and, at 29, became one of the youngest people to complete the Uefa Pro Licence. He worked at Cardiff City for eight years, in both the youth and first team set-ups, and was head coach at Newport County for a year before stepping into his job with the FAW.

"It has been a great privilege to represent my country and something I will forever be proud to have had the opportunity to do," said Rowberry, who is ironically on his way to South Wales now as Stoke take on Cardiff in the Championship on Tuesday night.

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"Given the huge honour it has been, this is not a decision I have taken lightly. However, it is a significant year-round commitment to balance both my Stoke City and Wales responsibilities.

"Alongside Jon [Walters, sporting director], the gaffer, coaching staff and players, we are working tirelessly to bring success to Stoke City and I firmly believe that, to be true to the commitment everyone is making here, I need to dedicate my full focus to the club."

Craig Bellamy has been linked with a move into club football in recent months but reportedly turned down the chance to become boss at Burnley. Another of his Wales assistants, Piet Cremers, quit in July and has become head coach at Club NXT, the Club Brugge youth team who play in Belgium's second tier.

Former Stoke defender Ashley Williams is joining Bellamy for the forthcoming Nations League fixtures, as well as former Swansea manager Alan Sheehan. Williams, who has his Uefa A licence coaching badge, has recently been coaching at Wales youth training camps.

Paul Nevin had been joint assistant at Stoke but left mid-way through last season and has since been replaced by Max Porter, who has joined from Arsenal. Ryan Shawcross and keeper coach Darren Behcet complete the first team coaching unit.

A statement fro the FAW said: "James Rowberry is stepping down from his role in the coaching staff due to work commitments. The FAW would like to thank Rowberry for his work with the Cymru Men’s National Team and the FAW Coach Education programme and wishes him the best for the future."

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