Reports suggest that Chelsea are facing a challenge to retain the services of their highly-rated assistant coach, Anthony Barry. The 36-year-old coach joined the Blues in the summer of 2020 after being hired by former manager and club legend, Frank Lampard. He stayed at Stamford Bridge to work with Thomas Tuchel when the German was appointed in January 2021, and the pair developed a close working relationship. However, Tuchel’s recent appointment as the new manager of Bayern Munich has raised concerns about Barry’s future at Chelsea.
Tuchel has already started assembling his coaching team at Bayern Munich, with former Chelsea aides Zsolt Low and Arno Michels already confirmed to be joining him. The 49-year-old has also revealed that he is trying to tempt Barry to the Allianz Arena. During his first press conference as Bayern boss, Tuchel said: “My coaching staff wasn’t prepared either, so a big thank you to their families for their flexibility. Arno Michels and Zsolt Löw, who have been working with me for over ten years, will be there. We’re hoping to add Anthony Barry, who is currently at Chelsea.”
Barry’s future at Chelsea remains uncertain, and it is currently unknown whether the former Wrexham star would want to accept a new role in Germany or not. Alongside his role at Chelsea, Barry also works part-time with the Portugal national team. He linked up with Roberto Martinez and the Belgium squad ahead of the 2022 World Cup before following the Spaniard to Portugal following his appointment.
Barry’s departure would be a significant loss for Chelsea, as he has been an integral part of Tuchel’s coaching staff. The assistant coach has played a crucial role in helping Tuchel implement his tactical ideas on the pitch. He has also been instrumental in developing young players such as Mason Mount and Reece James, who have become key players for Chelsea under Tuchel.
Barry’s departure would also be a blow to Chelsea’s long-term plans, as the club has been investing heavily in its coaching staff in recent years. The Blues have been keen to develop a new generation of coaches who can help the club achieve long-term success. Barry was seen as a key part of this strategy, and his departure would be a setback for the club.
Chelsea will now have to decide whether to fight to keep Barry at the club or let him go. The Blues are likely to face stiff competition from Bayern Munich, who are one of the biggest clubs in Europe. The German giants have a reputation for attracting the best talent in the game, and they are likely to offer Barry a lucrative deal to join their coaching staff.
If Barry does decide to leave Chelsea, it will be interesting to see who the Blues bring in to replace him. The club has a number of talented coaches on its books, and they may look to promote from within. Alternatively, they could look to bring in an experienced coach from outside the club to work alongside Tuchel.
Overall, Barry’s departure would be a significant loss for Chelsea, but the Blues have shown that they are capable of adapting to change. The club has a strong squad and an ambitious owner who is willing to invest in the team. With Tuchel at the helm, Chelsea has a bright future ahead of them, and they will be looking to build on their recent success in the coming years.