**Cardiff City Eye Brian Barry-Murphy as New Manager, Await Leicester City’s Green Light**
Cardiff City are on the verge of appointing Brian Barry-Murphy as their new manager, but face an anxious wait as Leicester City must first agree to release the promising coach from his contract, sources have revealed. The 46-year-old Irishman, currently working as Ruud van Nistelrooy’s assistant at Leicester, has emerged as the top candidate after impressing Cardiff’s board during a thorough recruitment process.
The Welsh club, who are seeking stability and a fresh direction following relegation to League One, have endured a lengthy search for their new boss since parting ways with their previous manager at the end of the season. While several names – including club legend Aaron Ramsey, as well as Des Buckingham, Ian Evatt and Nathan Jones – were reportedly considered, it is Barry-Murphy’s dynamic philosophy and record with youth development that have set him apart.
Insiders suggest negotiations between Cardiff and Leicester are ongoing, with the Bluebirds eager to finalise Barry-Murphy’s appointment as soon as Leicester give the go-ahead for his departure. Vincent Tan and Cardiff’s hierarchy are understood to be particularly keen to secure his services, hoping he will be the architect of a new era centred on young, homegrown talent.
Barry-Murphy, whose managerial journey began at Rochdale, rose to prominence for his ability to develop academy players and for instilling an attractive, attacking style of football. Although his time at Rochdale eventually saw the club relegated, he earned wide-ranging praise for his commitment to youth and innovative tactics. Subsequently, his work with Manchester City’s academy, where he was influenced by Pep Guardiola’s footballing ethos, further enhanced his reputation as an up-and-coming coach.
Cardiff’s youth pipeline is a particular attraction for Barry-Murphy. The new manager is said to be an admirer of the club’s emerging crop, featuring the likes of Alex Robertson, Yousef Salech, Rubin Colwill, Cian Ashford, Dylan Lawlor, Ronan Kpakio, and Isaac Davies. With the club poised for a rebuild, there is optimism that Barry-Murphy’s arrival could accelerate the development of these prospects, giving the club’s Academy graduates a prominent platform at first-team level.
The proposed appointment is seen as an opportunity for Cardiff to reset after a challenging season in the Championship. By focusing on a younger squad and progressive style, the Bluebirds hope to lay foundations for a sustainable return to higher divisions – and contribute more players to the Welsh national set-up in the future.
While Cardiff appear set on Barry-Murphy, they are not his only suitors. Reports indicate that Plymouth Argyle have also shown an interest in the coach. However, sources close to the negotiations suggest that Barry-Murphy is particularly drawn to the potential at Cardiff and has expressed his desire to take on the role, contingent on Leicester’s approval.
For now, Cardiff supporters will have to sit tight, as the club holds off on an official announcement until Leicester sanction Barry-Murphy’s exit from the King Power Stadium. The coming days could prove pivotal in determining Cardiff’s course, with a new chapter seemingly just around the corner.
Should the move go through, Cardiff fans will likely regard Barry-Murphy’s appointment as a leap of faith in youth and innovation – a bold statement of intent as one of Welsh football’s most storied clubs looks to bounce back from recent disappointments. As ever in football, the final decision may rest not just on boardroom negotiations, but on one club’s willingness to let go of a coach with growing credentials and ambition.
As the situation develops, all eyes will remain on both Cardiff City and Leicester City, with supporters eager to see whether the Irishman will soon be leading the Bluebirds from the dugout. The next step hinges on whether the Foxes are ready to release their in-demand assistant, potentially allowing Barry-Murphy to begin what could be a transformative era at Cardiff City Stadium.