In the brief interim between Frank Lampard leaving and Thomas Tuchel arriving, it was coach Anthony Barry who took training, and we were assured at various points that he would be staying at the club despite Lampard’s departure.
Chelsea have confirmed they've kept on coaches Joe Edwards, Anthony Barry, Henrique Hilario, James Russell, Matt Birnie and Will Tullett.
Many of them were pictured helping out at Thomas Tuchel's first session with his long time assistant Zsolt Low. #CFC
— Nizaar Kinsella (@NizaarKinsella) January 27, 2021
Anthony Barry took Chelsea’s training session today, according to @ground_guru
— Simon Phillips (@siphillipssport) January 25, 2021
That may well have been true at the time, but just a couple of days later it’s already old news.
According to Pete O’Rourke, Barry will be leaving Stamford Bridge to take up his own managerial role, as boss of Fleetwood Town.
Fleetwood are closing in on the appointment of Chelsea coach Anthony Barry as their new manager. #ftfc #codarmy #CFC
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) January 28, 2021
It’s a shame for Thomas Tuchel to lose the talented coach before they’ve had a chance to work together, but we wouldn’t want to stand in Barry’s way. He’s clearly a rising star, and even the temptations of working at a top club could only keep him happy for so long.
Who knows, maybe he will be back one day to take up the top job? At the rate we get through managers, it can’t be ruled out.
