Published: 12:00, 30 October 2025 | Updated: 12:00, 30 October 2025

Brian Barry-Murphy waited four years to take the plunge back into the EFL.

After being thrust into a challenging situation at Rochdale between 2019 and 2021, where he was praised for developing young players and producing a daring style of football on a tight budget, three years followed as manager of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad.

At the Etihad, the Irishman won consecutive Premier League 2 titles and coached stars including James McAtee, Oscar Bobb and Cole Palmer.

There, the former midfielder was exposed to Pep Guardiola's inner sanctum, before a short stint as part of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s coaching staff at Leicester came to an end when he signed a three-year deal with Cardiff City in June.

The job in south Wales was not one for the faint-hearted. The Bluebirds, while a massive club and hugely attractive to any potential coach, are in the third tier for the first time since 2003 following a difficult few years - and they are under pressure to return to the Championship at the first time...