Cardiff City are close to ending their long search for a new manager by confirming Brian Barry-Murphy as their successor to Omer Riza.
Discussions are understood to be ongoing with Leicester City to release the current Foxes’ assistant coach from his contract at the King Power Stadium.
The 46-year-old Irishman, currently serving as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s number two at Leicester, has reportedly agreed in principle to take over in the Welsh capital.
Cardiff, who were relegated to League One last season after finishing bottom of the Championship, had been keen on both Nathan Jones and Aaron Ramsey until both targets opted for other opportunities.
But Barry-Murphy was rumoured to be a candidate early on and with the clock ticking before pre-season starts, it appears the Bluebirds have returned their focus to the former Rochdale manager.
Though Plymouth Argyle were also believed to be interested, Cardiff are understood to be in pole position and confident of securing his signature.
Barry-Murphy has been open about his managerial ambitions and desire to step up in a role that can be shaped towards his coaching beliefs and style.
He was assistant to Welsh manager Steve Cooper when the former Swansea City head coach was in charge of Leicester and then stayed on after Cooper’s sacking to work under van Nistelrooy.
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The change of manager did not produce a change in fortunes and the Midlands club were relegated from the Premier League along with Southampton and Ipswich.
Previously, Barry-Murphy worked at Manchester City as an academy coach and the former Bury midfielder managed then League One Rochdale between 2019 and 2021.
“To sum it up best, I want to find somewhere that gives me the exact same feeling as when I joined Man City," he said upon joining Leicester’s backroom staff at the start of last season.
"I had this feeling that it was the perfect place for me to be at that stage of my career based on what I’d done and where I wanted to go.
“I’ve never had a career map. I’ve been more in the moment and focused on enjoying myself and improving all the time. I want to work at a club that puts a team together in the way I want to play.
“I want to see something that aligns with my values and my way of playing, which I know now more than ever can produce a winning brand of football. I feel I proved that in my three years at City.”
A former professional with Cork City, Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, Bury and Rochdale, Barry-Murphy was appointed as assistant manager under Van Nistelrooy in December, during a difficult period that eventually saw Leicester drop out of the Premier League.
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Since the departure of interim boss Omer Riza in April, Cardiff have been without a permanent manager.
Club legend Ramsey stepped in for the final three games of the season but was unable to prevent relegation.
Cardiff are waiting for Leicester to release Barry-Murphy from his current deal before confirming the appointment.
Van Nistelrooy praised Barry-Murphy’s impact behind the scenes earlier this year.
"He’s a great coach. I wanted him to be part of my team because of his experience, because he can translate a certain way of playing, call it the game model, into a training model,” said Van Nistelrooy.
“He’s doing an excellent job, also with his experience on the touchline. But especially on the training pitch.”
