HI RES ECFC Issue 05 Cardiff_Arsenal U21s - Flipbook - Page 5
HEAD COACH - BRIAN BARRY-MURPHY
Cardiff boss Brian Barry-Murphy will be hoping to continue a
sublime start to the 2025/26 season as they get Vertu Trophy
proceedings underway in EX4.
The former Sheffield Wednesday, Bury and Rochdale talent, turned
first team coach, began his managerial journey at Crown Oil Arena in
March 2019 in a caretaker capacity before his permanent appointment
several weeks later.
Barry-Murphy remained in post for just over two years as The Dale
looked to reaffirm their League One standing before succumbing to the
drop in 2021, at which point the Cork native headed down the road that
summer to take charge of Manchester City’s Elite Development Squad.
An impressive three-year stint with the young Citizens saw his side
win back-to-back Premier League 2 titles in the 2021/22 and 2022/23
campaigns before returning to the top-flight stage with Leicester City
in December 2024, operating as part of Ruud van Nistelrooy’s coaching
staff.
But while it was a difficult six-month spell in the Midlands, BarryMurphy has once again come into his own in the Welsh capital having
been awarded the Sky Bet League One Manager of the Month award
for August.
CAPTAIN - CALUM CHAMBERS
With close to 200 Premier League appearances and numerous
European outings to his name, Calum Chambers is hoping to lead
Cardiff City back to the Championship at the first time of asking.
The former Arsenal and Fulham defender, after struggling for top-flight game
time, enjoyed regular minutes in South Wales last term, featuring in 41 secondtier fixtures for the Bluebirds with another five league outings this season.
However, a head injury sustained last time out against Stockport County means
the 30-year-old is a doubt for tonight’s contest with vice-captain Rubin Colwill, if
selected, likely to take on the armband if his leadership colleague is unavailable.
The academy graduate, meanwhile, has certainly led by example in terms of
his performances too with his creative and particularly goalscoring prowess
coming to the party in recent times.
After his goal-and-assist combo against Plymouth Argyle prior to the
international break, the 23-year-oldis now up to three league goals – as well as
two final third involvements in the EFL Cup – with the No.10 always pulling the
strings, both on the road and at the Cardiff City Stadium, as the Bluebirds look
to make their mark on another domestic front.
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