League One news: Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy is destined for the Premier League
Brian Barry-Murphy has done a tremendous job since taking over at Cardiff City in June, with the Bluebirds now looking for an instant return to the EFL Championship.
Cardiff are flying high at the top of League One, having collected an impressive 69 points from 32 games, and Barry-Murphy could be a manager in demand this summer, writes Sports News Blitz’s Gareth Hinton.
Bluebirds eye second tier
Cardiff were in turmoil not that long ago, with owner Vincent Tan receiving backlash from the passionate supporters in South Wales.
After a couple of years flirting with the drop, City finally succumbed to relegation at the end of the 2024-25 Championship season.
Having spent two seasons in the Premier League under Tan’s ownership, Cardiff have massively fallen from grace.
A 0-0 home draw with West Bromwich Albion on the penultimate weekend saw the Welsh side slip into the third tier of English football for the first time in over two decades.
So, to say Barry-Murphy has lifted the club from top to bottom would be an understatement.
His appointment initially divided opinion amongst the fans, but the Irishman has hit the ground running in the Welsh capital.
Ahead of Saturday’s trip to Plymouth Argyle, Cardiff lead the way in League One and look nailed on for a Championship reunion at the first time of asking.
City have collected 69 points from 32 games, picking up 21 victories.
Cardiff are only four points above in-form Lincoln City but 12 clear of third-place Bolton Wanderers.
It’s therefore seemingly only a matter of time until promotion is confirmed.
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Barry-Murphy destined for more
If all goes to plan, Barry-Murphy is likely to stay on at the Cardiff City Stadium for a stint in the second tier next term.
The former Manchester City EDS head coach would love to go one step further and take Cardiff back to the promised land.
Whether or not his chance comes in Wales or not, Barry-Murphy certainly deserves a crack at Premier League management, even though he’s only managed two EFL clubs in the past.
His man-management skills and tactics are second to none, and Cardiff have played some scintillating stuff this term.
After Liam Rosenior left Strasbourg for Chelsea, Barry-Murphy was linked with the job in France.
He denied the claims and responded by telling journalists: “I love Cardiff.”
Barry-Murphy also emerged as an early favourite for the Celtic job when Wilfried Nancy was sacked, and he is likely to be linked with more high-profile jobs, but the Bluebirds will be desperate to keep hold of their beloved boss.
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Learning from the best
Having worked in the Man City academy, Barry-Murphy has a close bond with main man Pep Guardiola.
He learnt from the best during his time in Manchester, guiding City’s youngsters to successive Premier League 2 titles.
Barry-Murphy has also worked closely with the likes of Enzo Maresca and Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Indeed, he was appointed as a first-team coach at Leicester City during Van Nistelrooy’s forgettable reign.
Cardiff have been easy on the eye this season, playing possession-based football akin to Guardiola’s Man City.
Who knows how far Cardiff’s pretty play under Barry-Murphy can take them, but the Welsh club are certainly on the up again.
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