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Cardiff City have confirmed the appointment of Brian Barry-Murphy as their new head coach. Barry-Murphy leaves his role as a first-team coach at Leicester to take the top job at the Wales-based club, who were relegated from the Championship to League One in the 2024/25 season. Ireland-born Barry-Murphy signs a three-year deal which lasts until the summer of 2028. The former Manchester City academy coach brings in Lee Riley from the City academy, having previously worked with him at Rochdale. The appointment of Barry-Murphy ends Cardiff's long search for a new head coach with Omar Riza being sacked weeks before their Championship relegation was confirmed. Charlton boss Nathan Jones as well as former player Aaron Ramsey were names linked with the post but Barry-Murphy emerged as favourite after talks progressed last week. Bluebirds chairman Vincent Tan said: “I’d like to welcome Brian to Cardiff City Football Club. We are delighted that he has agreed to become head coach. “Throughout the interview process, Brian showed a huge passion for our club because he believes in what we're trying to do. He knows this level having played and managed at this standard before, where he was noted for his style of play. "Since then, he has only gone from strength-to-strength as a leader. “He's got a proven track record in youth development having coached some of the brightest young prospects in the UK, many of whom are now playing at the very top of the game. “He brings enthusiasm, vibrancy and an exciting outlook on what today’s football is, while looking to play an attacking style that our fans are sure to enjoy. “It's a combination of all of Brian’s great talents that make him the right man to take us forward into this next chapter. ” Barry-Murphy has some experience as a manager at senior level having been in charge of Rochdale between 2019-2021. Cardiff are playing in the third tier of English football for the first time since 2003. As for Leicester, they will be playing in the Championship next term having finished 18th in the Premier League. Ruud van Nistelrooy is currently the head coach at the King Power but talk SPORT understands his future at the club is very uncertain. The Foxes were very interested in hiring former Southampton and Swansea boss Russell Martin, however, he opted to join Scottish giants Rangers instead. Leicester were just a point off safety when Van Nistelrooy was appointed as sacked Steve Cooper's replacement but a shocking run of 16 defeats from 18 games effectively sealed their fate. © 2025 talk SPORT Limited
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