Why Cardiff City have appointed Brian Barry-Murphy - Vincent Tan has revealed it | OneFootball

The Cardiff City owner has explained the decision behind Brian Barry-Murphy's appointment

Cardiff City owner Vincent Tan has explained the decision behind the appointment of ex-Leicester City coach Brian Barry-Murphy as their newest manager.

The Bluebirds confirmed the arrival of the 46-year-old ahead of the club’s return to League One next season.

The Welsh outfit suffered relegation last year, falling out of the second tier of English football for the first time since 2003.

Barry-Murphy’s only previous managerial experience came at Rochdale, where he oversaw 109 games between March 2019 and June 2021.

However, he has since also worked at Manchester City and Leicester, as part of the academy setup and the first team squad, respectively.

Vincent Tan explains Barry-Murphy appointment

Tan has highlighted Barry-Murphy’s passion for Cardiff as part of the interview process as something that stood out about him.

He also noted the coach’s proven track record with developing young talent, suggesting he has the talent to bring the club forward.

“I’d like to welcome Brian to Cardiff City Football Club,” wrote Tan, via the club’s official website.

“We are delighted that he has agreed to become Head Coach.

“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'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.”

Cardiff City’s promotion ambition

Cardiff will be aiming to gain promotion back to the Championship at the first attempt this season.

Barry-Murphy has not worked as a manager in four years, with his previous experience at Rochdale seeing them relegated from both League One.

In his time since leaving Rochdale, he’s helped produce young talent from the Man City academy setup, including the likes of Cole Palmer and Oscar Bobb, among others.

He has earned a strong reputation since joining the Premier League side, and also worked with Leicester under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Tan will be hoping that the Irishman is capable of guiding the Bluebirds to promotion, putting pressure on him to perform immediately.

The new season will get underway during the weekend of 2 August, with Cardiff yet to learn the name of their first opponent.

Brian Barry-Murphy’s style of play at Cardiff

Barry-Murphy will now be making preparations for pre-season, which is likely to begin later this month or in early July.

The 46-year-old has also offered a hint of what supporters can expect from his side’s style of play this season.

“I definitely made mistakes at Rochdale in keeping possession for possession's sake,” said Barry-Murphy, via Wales Online.

“At the point of starving the opponents of the ball because I didn't want them to have it.

“But that come become sterile or boring for supporters because they want to see goal action.

“If you are looking to progress the game and move it forward, creating goal scoring opportunities, you'll either create a chance or turn the ball over which leads to a press and an exciting feeling in the stadium, which will satisfy any audience.

“In today's society, everything is moving quickly as we know.

“The new generation of supporters want to see an exciting show or game.

“It's important to understand why we keep possession and it liberates the game.

“We have to set them free in their own minds, then the game will quicken up and it becomes a natural occurrence of the game.

“The players then don't need to worry if it's exciting or not - because it just is!

“And the supporters are then in sync with the players.”