Former Ireland coach earns dream move to Bayern Munich

Rory Fleming

“We really wanted to have him with us” said Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel.

Former Ireland assistant coach Anthony Barry has been confirmed as one of Bayern Munich head coach Thomas Tuchel’s new assistants.

Speaking on Barry’s arrival in Bavaria, Tuchel was quoted as saying that “He has joined us- I’m very happy. We really wanted to have him with us”.

The Champions League winning manager went on to add that “He has a great quality, whether it is details or set piece situations. I’ve not seen such a level before”.

New Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel has said he is “very happy” that Barry is joining him in Bavaria. (Credit: Getty Images)

Barry served as Stephen Kenny’s assistant for Ireland in 2021, with squad members reportedly very impressed by his training methods and all-round attention to detail.

Back in June of 2021, Ireland centre half John Egan described Barry’s coaching as “unreal”, and said that “The ideas we are getting on the training pitch are fantastic”.

However, the former Everton youth product left his role after just one year when in February 2022 he departed for Roberto Martinez’s Belgium side.

At the time, Barry stated his reasonings behind leaving the Irish set-up as wanting the chance to coach the world’s number one ranked team alongside having the opportunity to be involved at a World Cup.

Barry returned to the Aviva Stadium last year during Ireland’s friendly draw with Belgium. (Credit: Sportsfile)

After spending his career in the lower reaches of the English football league playing for sides such as Accrington Stanley, Yeovil Town and Fleetwood Town, Barry took his first steps into coaching with Wigan in 2017.

In 2020, he joined Chelsea where the 36-year-old worked under the coach who has just re-hired him, Thomas Tuchel, in a spell which saw the pair claim the Champions League trophy in 2021.

He also coaches the Portuguese national team, alongside another former boss in Roberto Martinez whom he worked with at Belgium.

Barry now joins Bayern Munich off the back of their disheartening Champions League exit at the hands of Manchester City in midweek, whilst sitting two points ahead of Borussia Dortmund at the top of the table domestically.

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