Cardiff City Appoint Brian Barry-Murphy as Head Coach
Cardiff City Football Club has announced the appointment of Brian Barry-Murphy as their new head coach on a three-year contract, according to a report by The Guardian. Barry-Murphy joins the Welsh club from Leicester City, where he had been working under Ruud van Nistelrooy since last December.
The 46-year-old Irishman’s only experience as a first-team manager came with Rochdale, where he finished his playing career, from 2019-21. He then spent three years as manager of Manchester City’s elite development squad. Barry-Murphy will be joined at Cardiff City by Lee Riley, who departs his coaching role at Manchester City’s academy to become assistant coach. Riley worked with Barry-Murphy in City’s youth setup and at Rochdale.
Vincent Tan, the Cardiff City owner, expressed his delight in appointing Barry-Murphy as head coach. “I’d like to welcome Brian to Cardiff City Football Club,” Tan said. “We are delighted that he has agreed to become head coach. Throughout the interview process, 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.”
Tan added that Barry-Murphy “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.” Barry-Murphy’s appointment comes after Cardiff City finished bottom of the Championship last season, dropping out of the football pyramid’s top two divisions for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.
Barry-Murphy’s playing career spanned over a decade, with stints at Preston, Sheffield Wednesday, and Bury. Born in Cork, Ireland, he began his career at his hometown club, Cork City, before joining Preston in 1999. Cardiff City will be Barry-Murphy’s first managerial role in the top two divisions, and he will be tasked with guiding the team back to the Championship.
In other news, Wrexham have announced the signing of striker Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle for an undisclosed fee. Hardie, 28, has signed a three-year contract with the Welsh club and becomes their first signing since promotion to the Championship. The striker scored 74 goals in a five-year spell at Home Park but could not prevent Argyle’s relegation to League One last term. Hardie told his new club’s official website: “The last couple of seasons, it’s been good getting experience in the Championship and it’s experience I can lean on now. I’ve enjoyed playing there, and I’ve managed to score a few goals, so hopefully that can continue this season.”
This article is based on a report by The Guardian.
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