FORMER Non-League midfielder Anthony Barry hailed the proudest moment of his career after being named as Thomas Tuchel’s assistant in the England national team set-up.
Barry is regarded as one of English football‘s brightest young coaches and will be a key part of Tuchel’s staff with the Three Lions.
And at the unveiling in the week, the former Yeovil and Forest Green man – who has worked with Tuchel at Chelsea and Bayern Munich – spoke of his pride.
“Pretty incredible,” he said when asked how it felt for England’s YouTube channel. “Quite surreal. The process since it started has been fantastic. Thomas and I have loved every minute of it. As soon as I saw this project capture the imagination of Thomas in the way that it did, we were back and forward sharing so much energy towards it, the imagination of the team and what we can do with these players.
“And then, of course, there is the extra layer for me. I am an Englishman. I’ve worked at other federations around the world. It was always a privilege to work on the highest level.
“But to come home now and represent The FA, England and the Three Lions is something that is the proudest day of my career so far.”
Liverpool-born Barry, 38, progressed through the Everton youth ranks but was released at 18 and went on to play for Coventry City, Accrington Stanley, Yeovil and Chester City.
Analysis
After just a week-long spell at Wrexham, midfielder Barry left for Fleetwood Town to help them win promotion to the Football League before joining Step 1 Forest Green Rovers for the 2013-14.
Finishing his career after a second stint at Wrexham, Barry joined Paul Cook’s backroom staff at Wigan in 2017 before meeting Frank Lampard while studying for his UEFA Pro-Licence.
His detailed analysis of 16,380 throw-ins made a mark on Lampard and Barry was drafted in to work under the Blues legend as a set-piece coach – a role which he has since gone on to make his name.
Lampard departed Stamford Bridge in January 2021, but Barry stayed on to work under his successor, Tuchel.
The pair developed a strong friendship, helping Chelsea win the Champions League, and when Tuchel was sacked by Chelsea in September 2022, he returned for Barry when he was appointed at Bayern Munich the following year. England will be their third job together.
This, however, will not be Barry’s first foray into international football having briefly worked with the Republic of Ireland and also under Roberto Martinez with both Belgium and Portugal.
Passion
But while the 2026 World Cup may now be in his sights, the humble Three Lions number two says he still looks back today on his very first taste of coaching at the age of 29, working with Accrington Stanley’s U16 side with his playing career stalling with injury.
“I remember that first session so clearly,” Barry told the Essential Euros podcast last summer.
“It was on a Tuesday night. It was with around 10 players. I had a third of a pitch, not enough balls, not enough bibs.
“But I simply fell in love with coaching and on that night I knew it was absolutely everything I wanted to do.
“I felt a passion from that session with those kids that I hadn’t felt in playing games – even at Wembley. I knew right there and then, I wanted to be a young coach.”
