Barry-Murphy takes over at Cardiff City

Corkman Brian Barry-Murphy was this week appointed as the new head coach of Cardiff City FC.

The Welsh club plays in England in League 1 after suffering relegation from the Championship last season. The 46 year old son of the legendary Jimmy Barry-Murphy left his role at first-team coach at Leicester to take the job, signing a three-year contract. Cardiff City paid Leicester compensation to take him to Wales. He began his coaching career at Rochdale from 2019 to 2021 before become head coach of Manchester City's elite development squad for three years.

Cardiff owner Tan Sri Vincent Tan said: “Brian showed a huge passion for our club because he believes in what we’re trying to do. He knows this level having played and managed at this standard before, where he was noted for his style of play.

“He's got a proven track record in youth development having coached some of the brightest young prospects in the UK, many of whom are now playing at the very top of the game. He brings enthusiasm, vibrancy and an exciting outlook on what today’s football is, while looking to play an attacking style that our fans are sure to enjoy.

“It's a combination of all of Brian’s great talents that make him the right man to take us forward into this next chapter,” he said.

Barry-Murphy told the club’s website in an interview on Tuesday that becoming head coach is an “extraordinary feeling”. He said he was exhilarated at the “thought of coming to the stadium and getting the feeling of being in the job for the first day”.

He mentioned how he had spent three years working with “arguably the greatest mind in football” in Pep Guardiola and you can take so much knowledge with him.

Over a 23 year playing career, Brian started with Cork City, before moving to the UK with Preston North End. Following loan spells at Southend United and Hartlepool United and later 18 months at Sheffield Wednesday, he spent six years with Bury before an eight year stay at Rochdale, where he began coaching.