Cardiff City have ushered in a new chapter by confirming Brian Barry-Murphy as their head coach - an appointment club owner Vincent Tan has claimed is the perfect choice to lead the Bluebirds’ revival.
The 46-year-old takes the reins on a three-year contract, arriving from Leicester City where he had served as assistant to Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Cardiff agreed a compensation deal with the Foxes to secure his release and announced the deal on Monday, bringing an end to their extended hunt for a permanent boss following the dismissal of Omer Riza in April.
Tan, who had the final say in the selection process, is convinced Barry-Murphy’s coaching pedigree will be enough to realise club’s ambitions to bounce back from relegation to League One.
“Throughout the interview process, Brian showed a huge passion for our club because he believes in what we're trying to do,” said Tan.
“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's got a proven track record in youth development having coached some of the brightest young prospects in the UK, many of whom are now playing at the very top of the game.
“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.
“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, a former midfielder with clubs including Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday, and Bury, is well regarded for his focus on player development and a possession-based philosophy.
His most recent role at Leicester followed three years at Manchester City as under-23 coach, where he helped bring through stars like Cole Palmer.
He previously managed Rochdale in League One, earning praise for his forward-thinking approach and commitment to nurturing young talent.
His appointment ends Cardiff’s previous interest in other candidates such as Nathan Jones and Aaron Ramsey.
“To sum it up best, I want to find somewhere that gives me the exact same feeling as when I joined Man City,” Barry-Murphy previously said about his career approach.
“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.”
Barry-Murphy will be supported by Lee Riley, currently part of Manchester City’s academy set-up and a former colleague from their time at Rochdale.
The duo will now be tasked with preparing a Cardiff side returning to the third tier for the first time in over two decades.
