The coach who walked away from Manchester City – his football vision and what he wants to do next
On Saturday afternoon in Blackburn, Brian Barry-Murphy is in a pub situated across from Ewood Park, enjoying a glass of mineral water while catching the Southampton versus Manchester United match on a large screen. Russell Martin, the Southampton manager and a friend of Barry-Murphy, watches as Southampton misses an early penalty attempt by Cameron Archer. Just two minutes later, Matthijs de Ligt scores to put United in the lead.
Three hours later, Barry-Murphy is at Ewood Park watching the match between Blackburn Rovers and Bristol City. The score is 2-0 as they reach the middle of the second half when Sinclair Armstrong, a substitute for City, sprints to the edge of the Rovers' area and passes the ball across. It looks like a guaranteed goal, and if they score, City will be right back in the game at 2-1.
However, a Rovers player reaches the ball first, clearing it away. Just moments later, Yuki Ohashi strikes with a stunning shot from the opposite side.
Instead of Southampton being ahead by a score of 1-0, Manchester United was in the lead at 1-0. Similarly, rather than Blackburn Rovers having a close match at 2-1 against Bristol City, they dominated with a 3-0 victory.
"Unpredictable," Barry-Murphy remarks with a touch of irony. He uses this term three times during a discussion about football, reflecting on his perspective and his own journey in the sport. At 46 years old, Barry-Murphy has made a surprising decision to leave Manchester City, where he spent three years as the head coach for the under-23 team. He appreciated the regular interactions he had with Pep Guardiola.
Barry-Murphy previously managed Rochdale before taking the reins at City, and he's eager to return to a managerial or head coaching position. The Irishman took over from Enzo Maresca with the under-23s, and we should keep in mind the path Maresca has taken since leaving City.
Based on Barry-Murphy's excitement on game day, it's clear that the unpredictability of the sport he just experienced won't hold him back.
"I’ve made it clear for some time that I’m ready to move forward," he states. "That might seem surprising, especially since I would describe my time at Manchester City as the most enlightening experience of my football career, largely due to the people I worked alongside."
"I really feel the urge to challenge myself on my own terms. Instead of just standing back and admiring Pep, watching his every move without applying it to my own journey, I tell myself, 'Why not give it a shot?'"
"When I joined Man City, I just knew deep down that it was the perfect fit for me at that moment; I've felt that way for more than a year now. It may come across as self-centered, but I truly got what I hoped for from that time there."
Barry-Murphy trains his team in preparation for a UEFA Youth League match against RB Leipzig in November 2023 (Charlotte Tattersall/Getty Images).
Self-centeredness can often be viewed as a form of ambition. Barry-Murphy, the son of the celebrated Irish athlete Jimmy, has been involved in football since he was 16, starting with his local team, Cork City, in the League of Ireland. He was recruited by David Moyes, whom he holds in high regard, during his time at Preston North End, and he also played for clubs like Sheffield Wednesday, among others. His career as a defender concluded at Rochdale, where he initially took on the role of player-coach before becoming the manager in 2019. He gained recognition for a distinctive style of play that, while it may not always secure three points every match for a smaller team, certainly drew the attention of larger clubs nearby.
Three years ago, Barry-Murphy was brought on board by Jason Wilcox to work with players such as Cole Palmer, Oscar Bobb, and Romeo Lavia—three individuals he references. During this time, he also gained insights from Guardiola. After departing in the summer, Barry-Murphy was invited by The Athletic to spend a Saturday observing a game, where they talked about his past experiences, what he has witnessed, and what the future might hold for him.
At Ewood Park, Barry-Murphy quickly notices how intense Blackburn's opening to their Championship match is. Tyrhys Dolan, 22, who previously played in the Manchester City academy, sets a high benchmark with his speed, aggression, and skill. The Rovers force Bristol City into making mistakes, and they capitalize on one of those errors to take the lead.
Bristol City's commitment to building from the back has led to some challenges, yet they remain steadfast in this approach. As their strategy continues to falter, an earlier comment from Barry-Murphy about Guardiola's ability to adapt becomes increasingly significant. He believes that Guardiola doesn't receive the recognition he deserves for this skill.
"Pep really values the strengths of his rivals and considers their strategies," Barry-Murphy explains. "He’s always looking for ways to counteract them instead of solely concentrating on City’s own strengths. For instance, in the match against Real Madrid, it was obvious that they had prepared for Kevin (De Bruyne) and his tendency to make those deep runs."
Pep will tell his players, "When the other team makes a move, this is how we respond." He provides them with strategies. For instance, if the opposing team plans to mark Rodri closely, he'll instruct them to adjust their positioning before executing the next play. He puts the same level of focus on a Carabao Cup match as he does on a Champions League fixture.
He realized that when teams switched to a man-to-man defense, it often left Erling Haaland situated at the halfway line. As a result, Ederson would make a long pass.
Blackburn's Dolan outpaces Bristol City defenders effortlessly (Andrew Kearns – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Bristol City attempts to implement this strategy from time to time, but without a top striker like Haaland to hold the ball, they struggle, allowing Rovers to take advantage. The visitors go back to their preferred style of building from the back, much to the disapproval of some fans. Barry-Murphy is aware of the circumstances, understanding the pressure to win and the tension that comes with a Saturday afternoon match.
"I take great pride in my time at Rochdale," he reflects. "It holds significant value for me. However, I won’t deny that at times we prioritized keeping the ball just for the sake of possession. There were moments when I made mistakes too."
"I strongly believe in my approach to the game, and I won't stray from it. However, it's important to show respect to your opponents."
In my early days as a coach or manager, I was really fixated on keeping control of the ball. This focus was something I shared with my players, as we had experienced a lack of possession during our playing days. However, reflecting on it now, I'm uncertain if I found the right balance. It’s essential to attack effectively—sometimes being patient, and at other times being quick and dynamic in our approach. One of the key roles of a coach is to help players understand different rhythms in the game. Efficiency is a crucial aspect of this.
In League One, Rochdale was considered a minnow. We had a lot of young talent, and we frequently faced off against larger clubs like Hull and Sunderland with their deep rosters. Our strategy for competing was to control possession of the ball for stretches of time, which isn't typically the approach smaller teams take.
I went through Mauricio Pochettino's notes from his time at Espanyol, where the approach against Barcelona was to fall back and defend close to their goal. He sought to shift that mindset. At Rochdale, we aimed to establish our own identity, adopting a playing style that set us apart, making sure to maintain possession against the stronger teams for as long as possible. We couldn't simply acquire a new striker.
At Man City, the approach is unique because you'd work on maintaining possession to pass the ball to Cole Palmer, who has the ability to take on and outmaneuver five defenders, or to Oscar Bobb, who plays with the finesse of Messi. He can effortlessly get past opponents in an instant, and witnessing that firsthand was a whole new experience for me.
Your task is to deliver the ball to your teammates in the best way possible—this could mean making just one pass or a series of 50 passes. When I was at Rochdale, we didn’t have that dynamic. I felt that if we attacked too quickly, we were more likely to hand the ball over to a stronger team, leading to us being pressured for the entire match.
Barry-Murphy shares a moment of joy with Oliver Rathbone at Rochdale (Joe Prior/Visionhaus/Getty Images)
In both of these positions, growth was a central focus and goal. However, the circumstances and challenges in each situation were quite distinct.
"Every week at Rochdale, I would step out and say the team performed well and followed our training perfectly," he remembers. "In response, people would say, 'But you lost the match.' I'd explain, 'Yes, but we could be at the bottom of the standings, just playing long balls instead.'"
In that case, the players wouldn’t have anything to guide them, even though we trust that they will gain long-term advantages and achieve success — though we can't promise it.
"However, the desire to win is something that’s deeply rooted in everyone."
"At City, the players are all on substantial contracts, but many of them have come from challenging situations, which adds a lot of pressure on them. It's essential to show them that your approach will help them develop as players and achieve the success they desire. However, it's important to emphasize that they need to work together as a team to earn those opportunities."
You're aiming to establish a shared objective. Whether to use 'convince' or 'influence' is up for debate. I've always told the players that I would persuade them regarding my methods because I'm confident they are effective. Ideally, you'd like every player to fully trust you and hang onto your every word, but that's not always the case. You need to demonstrate that your words have real meaning and value.
Each player has unique traits. Oscar Bobb is completely dedicated to the team's success, prioritizing it above everything else. At the same time, he strives for personal growth. It's rare to find someone with such a selfless attitude.
During the half-time break, Bristol City’s coach, Liam Manning, decides to make a substitution. After Blackburn takes a 2-0 lead in the 55th minute, Manning quickly opts for three additional changes. This seems to energize City, with Armstrong pushing his team to attack. However, a counterattack leads to a chance for the Rovers, and they score again, making it 3-0.
As the match comes to a close, coaches John Eustace and Manning exchange handshakes. They’ve experienced the game in completely different ways. Barry-Murphy is well aware of the emotions that Saturdays at five o’clock can bring, and he understands the contrasts that come with them.
"I can picture Liam sitting on the bus, reflecting on how things didn’t go as they had hoped and that they didn’t play to their potential," he shares. "Despite that, they essentially handed Blackburn the first goal, and there was a moment in the match when it could have been 2-1. When the score hits 3-0, it feels very discouraging and disheartening."
"That's simply how the game works, and it's crucial to keep in mind how unpredictable it can be, with minor details having the potential to make a significant impact. John Eustace is likely well aware of both the events that took place and the possible outcomes that might have unfolded."
Manning and Eustace standing on the sidelines at Ewood Park (Andrew Kearns – CameraSport through Getty Images)
The unpredictable aspects of the afternoon are quite evident, and from that viewpoint, pursuing this path seems filled with anxiety. However, Barry-Murphy claims he embraces it. “If everything were certain, there wouldn’t be any excitement, would there?”
This summer, he had discussions with one club from the Championship, although it wasn't Preston, despite the rumors. The frequent changes in management within the division suggest that there will be plenty of chances available. Barry-Murphy brings with him 30 years of experience in the sport, including three years working under Guardiola. How has that experience shaped him, both before and after?
"Pep really transforms your perspective on football. I used to roll my eyes when I heard people say that, thinking it was an exaggeration. But it’s true. He clarifies the necessity of putting in consistent effort every day to realize your goals on match day. His approach seems straightforward, yet the level of commitment he demands to practice and get ready is intense. His dedication is truly remarkable."
Guardiola understands that coaches like Mikel Arteta, Maresca, and Barry-Murphy are eager to challenge themselves after spending time with him in a professional setting. City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has encouraged Barry-Murphy, telling him it's his moment to take off and demonstrate his abilities. This has motivated him to pursue his own path. Txiki advised him to take risks and push his limits, even in the face of potential challenges we've discussed.
In my next steps, I'm aiming for us to approach the game in the smartest way possible, always making forward strides. There’s no need to stress about pleasing the crowd; they’ll see that we’re constantly pushing for an offensive play. This clarity in my professional journey has made me feel truly free, as I now understand how to achieve this.
"I'm all set. I'm excited about it."
Lee Carsley: An Irish athlete turned English coach
(Main image: George Wood/Getty Images)
Originally featured in The Observer in 1990, Michael Walker has reported on World Cups and European Championships for various outlets, including The Guardian, the Daily Mail, and the Irish Times. He has authored two books about football—one focused on England's North-East and another on Ireland.
