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.
The 46-year-old 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.
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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.