Craig Bellamy explains Stoke City coach move as he says 'a big thank you'

Craig Bellamy has publicly thanked James Rowberry as his Wales number two steps back to concentrate on his job at Stoke City.

Rowberry was already Bellamy’s assistant when he took on his Stoke role as Mark Robins’ assistant manager back in January 2025. He has been juggling the club and international calendar since then but, at the end of last season, decided to focus on the former.

The 41-year-old had helped Wales reach qualifying play-offs for the European Championship and the World Cup and his decision came at the same time as fellow coach Piet Crembers left to become head coach of Club Brugge’s reserve team Club NXT, who play in the Belgian second tier.

They have been replaced by former Swansea boss Alan Sheehan and ex-Stoke defender and Wales skipper Ashley Williams.

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Bellamy said: “First and foremost, a big thank you to Rows and Piet. They were a big, big help in the first two years. Obviously it changed with James because he went to Stoke during the time he wasn’t with us and, at the end of the season, he felt it was important to concentrate on Stoke because he was with them full-time. We don’t pay people full-time. I completely understand that.

“Piet wanted to go into something full-time. Brugge were there a while ago and I knew after the Romania game he was going to go. Good luck to him. I think it’s a brilliant opportunity, something he wanted to go and do and I’m really excited for him.

“I’ve got to be honest, over the last couple of months interviewing people who could add to us, who could help us, I’ve enjoyed that process. We’ve managed to bring in Shees, Alan, and I feel he’s going to be a big, big help for us. He knows the land here too, knows one or two of the players as well who he has coached, managed and been up against. What he can offer us will be a big help.

“With Ash, I’ve tried him for ages to get him to commit. He has his commitments media wise and you know how busy it can be. He’s managed to hold off one or two other things so he can come in and help us. For me in my time he’s been our greatest captain and leader. Young players and senior players will learn a lot from him.”

Stoke brought in Max Porter from Arsenal in the summer to replace Paul Nevin as joint assistant manager. Ryan Shawcross is also first team coach while Darren Behcet is keeper coach.

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