Frank Christian
Thomas Tuchel has been appointed as the new permanent manager of the England national football team.
His tenure will officially begin in January 2025, coinciding with the conclusion of Lee Carsley’s interim role. Tuchel will lead England as they prepare for the World Cup qualification heading into 2026. The German coach has agreed to an 18-month contract that extends until the tournament held across the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Assisting Tuchel will be Anthony Barry, a coach with whom he has a strong collaborative history.
This article offers an overview of Barry’s background as he steps into the role previously held by Steve Holland, a key member of Gareth Southgate’s team.
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Who is Anthony Barry?
Anthony Barry, a former midfielder for teams such as Wrexham, Chester, and Fleetwood, has most recently been serving as assistant to Roberto Martinez for the Portugal national team.
At 38 years old and originally from Liverpool, Barry transitioned to a full-time coaching career in 2017 after ending his playing days. He began as a set-piece coach at Bayern Munich under Tuchel and later joined him at Chelsea after being recruited by Frank Lampard. Barry’s coaching journey kicked off at Wigan Athletic.
He also briefly collaborated with Stephen Kenny in the Republic of Ireland setup, gaining valuable international experience. His familiarity with the international stage and work with elite players like Harry Kane, Mason Mount, and Raheem Sterling will undoubtedly be beneficial for England.
Reflecting on his new role alongside Tuchel, Barry expressed enthusiasm about the opportunity to work with the national team: “For any Englishman in football, working with the national team is the pinnacle and I didn’t hesitate when Thomas asked me to come and join him again. I know how great St. George’s Park is and what an advantage it offers our England teams, supporting both players and coaches.” He added, “This squad is highly talented and has united the country in many ways. I’m eager to start this exciting journey with them.”
Ready to get to work
— England (@England) October 16, 2024
Anthony Barry’s Coaching Experience
In just seven years of coaching, Barry has already made significant strides in his career, often holding dual roles in club and international positions at the same time.
| Club | Years | Manager(s) |
| Wigan Athletic | 2017-20 | Paul Cook |
| Chelsea | 2020-23 | Frank Lampard, Thomas Tuchel, Graham Potter |
| Rep. of Ireland | 2021-22 | Stephen Kenny |
| Belgium | 2022 | Roberto Martinez |
| Portugal | 2023-24 | Roberto Martinez |
| Bayern Munich | 2023-24 | Thomas Tuchel |
| England | 2025- | Thomas Tuchel |
Tuchel on Anthony Barry
Following his announcement as England manager, Tuchel expressed his happiness about working with Barry. He stated, “Working closely with Anthony as my assistant coach, we will put in every effort to ensure England’s success and make our supporters proud.”
Tuchel has previously recognized Barry’s exceptional coaching skills, recalling that he was an academy coach who impressed him enough to be brought into the senior team setup.
“His contributions during set pieces at Chelsea were groundbreaking for me,” Tuchel noted, highlighting why he chose to bring Barry to Bayern Munich.
Barry commented on their professional relationship: “I have admired Thomas since day one. We share many similar views on football and strive to continually enhance our skills.” He continued, “This mutual respect allows us to work efficiently at a high level, with open discussions and a focus on finding optimal solutions.”
England supporters will be hopeful that Tuchel and Barry will recreate their effective partnership at St George’s Park, aiming to bring success to the national team during the 2026 campaign.
