Burnley could make a move for Cardiff City manager Brian Barry-Murphy over the summer as the Clarets look for a new boss.
The Turf Moor side, who are bound for the Championship next season after their relegation was confirmed, have announced the departure of Scott Parker by ‘mutual consent’ earlier on Thursday.
Barry-Murphy In The Mix
With attention turning to finding replacements for Parker, the Clarets have already identified some key contenders and according to Sami Mokbel of BBC Sport, Brian Barry-Murphy is one of the contenders to take on the role in Lancashire, after the club did a ‘check’ on the ex-Manchester City coach.
The Irish manager is in his first permanent senior role in management after being appointed by Cardiff City in the summer, and made an immediate impact by helping the Bluebirds back into the Championship in second place.
However, it seems that the 47-year-old is not Burnley’s preferred candidate to take over the role, with current Wales manager Craig Bellamy believed to be the front-runner.
According to the BBC, the Clarets would have to pay a £700,000 release clause in his contract with the FAW in order to bring the former Liverpool and Manchester City man back to the club after his stint as interim boss under Vincent Kompany.
Any appointment by the club is likely to be made following the end of the season, with Parker’s assistant in Mike Jackson expected to take charge of Burnley’s final four Premier League games of the season.
Worthy Of A Move, But Is It The Right Decision?
In what has been a great opening year of his senior management career, Brian Barry-Murphy has proved himself to be a manager of the future within English football.
He has been a revelation for Cardiff City upon their relegation down to League One, but his tactical nous and prioritising of developing young talents, such as Dylan Lawlor, Rubin Colwill and Ronan Kpakio, continues his trend of uncovering future stars as he did in the Manchester City academy.
Burnley now face another season in the Championship after relegation, and despite Scott Parker’s track record in the division, most notably last season where they conceded just 16 times, the Clarets are looking for a new option.
Craig Bellamy is a firm favourite and Steven Gerrard has also been tipped with a chance, meaning that Barry-Murphy is probably not in contention, but even if he was, then it may be a risky move to make.
The Irish coach has built a great foundation for Cardiff to build upon next season, and could have easily kept pace with Lincoln City and perhaps won the League One title if not for the devastating injury blow to Yousef Salech mid-season.
Sticking with City, rather than taking a punt elsewhere, is probably the best path forward for the 47-year-old to take and having another season of experience under his belt in familiar conditions can do no harm.
