Former Luton Town defender Alan Sheehan has been appointed as an assistant coach for the Wales national team. The 39-year-old joins manager Craig Bellamy's backroom staff ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League fixtures.
Sheehan, who holds a UEFA Pro Licence, brings a wealth of coaching experience to the role. Wales’ official website said: "Alan Sheehan and Ashley Williams will be joining Craig Bellamy’s coaching staff ahead of this autumn’s UEFA Nations League campaign as Assistant Coaches." The same source added: "Sheehan, a UEFA Pro Licence holder, was Swansea City’s Head Coach in 2025 after two periods as Interim Head Coach and has previously held roles as Assistant Coach at Swansea City, Southampton and Luton Town."
Alan Sheehan first arrived at Kenilworth Road on loan from Notts County in 2016. He quickly became a vital part of the side that finished second in League Two, securing promotion to League One. Named club captain, he signed permanently after Luton won the League One title, making 135 appearances and scoring nine goals for the Hatters before moving to Lincoln City in March 2020.
His bond with the club remained strong, leading to a return as first-team coach in 2022. He followed manager Nathan Jones to Southampton later that year, a stint that lasted three months. Sheehan's coaching journey continued at Swansea City, where he served as an assistant under Michael Duff and later Luke Williams. He was placed in temporary charge in February 2025, a role extended until the end of that season before he signed a three-year contract in April, only to be dismissed in November.
Sheehan joins a refreshed Wales setup alongside fellow new assistant Ashley Williams, the former Wales captain. They replace James Rowberry, who stepped down due to work commitments. Andrew Crofts remains as an assistant coach, balancing his duties with a recent appointment as assistant head coach at Tottenham Hotspur under Robert De Zerbi.
Bellamy's squad begins its UEFA Nations League campaign with away trips to Portugal and Denmark. They then host Norway at the Cardiff City Stadium on Thursday 1 October, followed by a home match against Denmark on Sunday 4 October. The appointment provides Sheehan with a significant step into international football management.
While Sheehan start his new role with Wales, his former club Luton Town are focused on their own campaign. The Hatters currently sit 7th in the League One table with 8 points from 5 games, having recorded two wins, two draws, and one loss. Their recent form reads DWLDW, and they have scored 11 goals while conceding the same number. They are four points behind leaders Sheffield Wednesday as the title race takes shape. Fans can also track the team's progress in the standings.
