Cardiff City have appointed Brian Barry-Murphy as their head coach on a three-year contract. He arrives from Leicester, where he had worked under Ruud van Nistelrooy since last December.
Barry-Murphy’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.
“One of the main reasons I came here was the opportunity to work with this group of players and the exceptional talent coming through, to mould a squad that gives the whole club something to be proud of,” Barry-Murphy told the club’s website.
“We want to be successful, for sure, and I believe we will be. We’re here to win, to reward the supporters,” the 46-year-old added. “We want fans to feel genuinely excited walking into the stadium this week. To do something different with this group of players is my real vision for the club.”
Barry-Murphy will be joined 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.
“I’d like to welcome Brian to Cardiff City Football Club. We are delighted that he has agreed to become head coach,” said the Cardiff owner, Vincent Tan.
“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. Since then, he has only gone from strength-to-strength as a leader.
“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,” Tan added. “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.”
Born in Cork, Barry-Murphy played for his hometown club, Cork City, before joining Preston in 1999. He also played for Sheffield Wednesday and Bury before moving into coaching at Rochdale.
Cardiff will play in the third tier next season after finishing bottom of the Championship, dropping out of the football pyramid’s top two divisions for the first time since the 2002-03 campaign.
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Wrexham sign Plymouth striker Hardie
Wrexham have announced the signing of striker Ryan Hardie from Plymouth for an undisclosed fee.
Hardie, who has signed a three-year contract, is the first player to join the Welsh club since their promotion to the Championship. The 28-year-old 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.”
