Crofts: Club's support for my Wales' role means a lot

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Our assistant head coach will be working with new Wales head coach Craig Bellamy.

2024-08-23T10:30+01:00

Andrew Crofts won 29 Wales caps and is now part of their coaching set-up. Photo: Paul Hazlewood

Andrew Crofts says it ‘means a lot’ to know that Albion are supporting him in his new role in Wales’ coaching set-up.

Crofts is taking up a coaching position under new Wales head coach Craig Bellamy, while continuing his day-to-day work with Albion which saw him promoted to men's assistant first-team head coach this week.

Crofts won 29 caps for Wales and admits when Bellamy approached him he was keen to accept, as long as he knew Albion would support his decision.

“When the club said they would support me it meant a lot. It was something that I was really keen to do,” said Crofts.

Andrew Crofts isays working under head coach Fabian Hurzeler has been 'incredible.' Photo: Paul Hazlewood

“It makes me feel very proud. I have a big family in North Wales who will be so proud, especially my granddad and my dad who spent a lot of time up there.

“A couple of days after Craig Bellamy was announced in the head coach role he phoned me to see if I'd be interested and wow, what a feeling that was when Craig said he wanted me to work with him. There are feelings that you get in football not very often that are really special and you grab hold of them and this was one of those.

“He knows how much work I'll put into the job. Once I stopped playing I wanted to become the best coach I possibly could be and I think he knows that.”

Crofts says his family are also excited about his new role.

“Every player, every coach and every manager will tell you when you're in this business, your family come on that journey,” he added. “I know they'll be coming to the Wales games in Cardiff with real excitement, especially my son. He goes to every Brighton game and is a massive fan, but he's already said, “Dad, We’ve got Turkey and I'm coming up to Cardiff.”’

Andrew Crofts has been promoted to assistant first-team head coach. Photo: Paul Hazelwood

Crofts describes his new role as assistant to head coach Fabian Hurzeler as ‘another step on an incredible journey with the football club.’

“I've had quite a few roles at the club now - player, captain, U21s player coach, U21s manager, interim manager, first team coach - and to have the role of the assistant head coach is a really special feeling for me.

“I’m very thankful to the chairman, Tony Bloom, Paul Barber and David Weir for the for the work they've put in to make this happen. Also, there are so many special staff and an incredible group of players here too and the new players coming in fill me with real excitement.”

Crofts enjoyed his time working with former head coach Roberto De Zerbi and says ‘it is exactly the same now with his successor Fabian Hurzeler.

“It's been incredible, I’ve loved it from the first second,” he said. “Fabian so demanding and I love that. He’s relentless in terms of how he prepares every day, every session, every meeting, every game. I've learned a lot in a short space of time and I'll do everything I can to try and help him bring his ideas to life so we can have a really strong season.”