Former Rochdale manager Barry-Murphy takes charge of Man City U23s
Barry-Murphy stepped down as Rochdale manager at the end of last season
Written by Training Ground Guru — July 27, 2021
FORMER Rochdale manager Brian Barry-Murphy has been appointed as Manchester City’s new Under-23s boss as the club unveiled their coaching set-up for the new season.
The 42-year-old Irishman replaces Italian Enzo Maresca, who left at the end of 2020/21 to become manager of Parma. Barry-Murphy enjoyed a near 20-year playing career and became part of Rochdale's coaching set-up in 2013.
He was appointed caretaker manager at Spotland in 2019 before being handed the role on a permanent basis in April 2019. The club were relegated to League Two last season, but received praise for their possession-based brand of football, as well as for developing young talent.
Barry-Murphy, who recently completed his Pro Licence with the English FA, stepped down from the role at the end of June. At City, he will be assisted by Danny Walker, who continues as U23s assistant.
As TGG has previously reported, Ben Wilkinson will take charge of the U18s following Carlos Vicens’ switch to the first-team set-up and his assistant will be Calum McFarlane, who moved to City last season from the Kinetic Football Academy. He replaces Darren Hughes, who now becomes U16s lead.
Academy Director Jason Wilcox said: “We are delighted to confirm Brian, Ben, Calum and Darren in their new roles which will further help us build on our Academy ethos of developing and nurturing exciting young footballers.
“We wish them all the very best of luck.”
MAN CITY AGE GROUP LEADS 2021/22
- U23s: Brian Barry-Murphy; assistant Danny Walker
- U18s: Ben Wilkinson; assistant Calum McFarlane
- U16s: Darren Hughes
- U15s: Craig Mudd
- U14s: Jamie Carr
- U13s: Paris Bateman
- U12s: Adam Temple
- U11s: Callum Tongue
- U10s: Brad Sutcliffe
