Anthony Barry: From Player to England’s Assistant Manager

At the age of 29, Anthony Barry began his coaching career by taking charge of the Accrington Stanley Under-16s team.

Anthony Barry, England’s new assistant manager, has had a fascinating coaching journey. Fleetwood Town’s chief executive, Steve Curwood revealed that the club tried to appoint Barry as their manager when Frank Lampard left Chelsea in 2021. Although Barry initially considered leaving, he stayed on and built a strong relationship with Thomas Tuchel eventually following him to Bayern Munich. Barry (38) played 13 years as a midfielder in England’s lower leagues before shifting to coaching after a serious injury at 24.

His coaching career began with Accrington Stanley Under-16s, and he quickly realized that coaching was his true passion. Barry’s meticulous approach and attention to detail earned him respect throughout his career. After assistant roles at Wigan, Chelsea and national teams like Ireland, Belgium and Portugal, Barry now focuses on the 2026 World Cup. He’ll work alongside Tuchel in this new chapter of his coaching career.

Barry’s reputation for professionalism and his deep understanding of the game have earned him admiration from players and colleagues alike. Former boss Micky Mellon recalls Barry’s dedication during his playing days at Fleetwood helping the team secure promotion to the Football League. Barry’s coaching skills further developed under Tuchel with whom he shares a close bond.

After a knee operation, Thomas Tuchel even took a road trip with Anthony Barry back to Munich as a gesture of solidarity. Known for his analytical mind, Barry’s FA Pro Licence dissertation focused on throw-ins, analyzing over 16,000 from the 2018-19 Premier League season. His rise through the coaching ranks has been swift and with his new role as England’s assistant, Barry continues to establish himself as a highly respected figure in football.