Chelsea coach could leave the club and join Premier League rival

Assistant coaches are some of the most interesting characters in the sport. There aren’t many widely known across the world of football and those that are often have ambitions of becoming a manager of their own staff one day. There are many different paths to becoming a manager in European top flights. Thomas Tuchel started managing at a young age, he started small and worked his way up. Mikel Arteta sat behind Pep Guardiola as Manchester City’s No. 2 before getting his big break. There’s also well-known figures like Steve Holland, who are seemingly content being the brains behind every operation, but working in the shadows as an assistant.

No matter his future aspirations, it’s become increasingly clear over the last few seasons that Anthony Barry is going to be a smashing success anywhere he goes. The Chelsea assistant has gotten a lot of credit—from both Frank Lampard and Tuchel—for the improvements he’s made to the Blues’ style of play. Unfortunately, as Lampard prepares to dip his toes into the management pool again and join Everton, rumors are beginning to circle that he wants Barry to join him.

Chelsea assistant Anthony Barry could leave to join Frank Lampard at Everton

Individuals such as Lampard and Steven Gerrard were so adept and skillful during their playing days they were offered jobs shortly after retirement. Not everyone is afforded that luxury and that’s where Anthony Barry stands. The Liverpool native spent 13 years playing football in England but he was never a household name, playing for clubs such as Accrington Stanley, Fleetwood Town, Wrexham and Yeovil Town. He retired in 2017 and immediately made the jump into management, learning the trade behind Paul Cook at Wigan Athletic. He spent three seasons there before getting his biggest break to date. Lampard offered him a job as an assistant at Chelsea to help solidify a leaky defense and improve the team’s set pieces. He did just that.

Barry was forced to make a decision when Lampard was sacked in January of 2021, would he stay or would he go? The Englishman ultimately decided to remain at the club as one of the few coaches who survived the managerial shift change. This was undoubtedly the biggest shake-up of Barry’s young coaching career. Nevertheless, he handled it impeccably. Barry’s become one of Tuchel’s closest advisers and a so-called secret weapon, just as he was with Lampard.

The German gaffer has managed to hold onto one of his top assistants for the last 12 months, despite the growing list of suitors. Barry rejected Fleetwood Town’s managerial job numerous times in favor of remaining at Chelsea, where he continues to soak up knowledge and grow as a coach. Barry also doubles as an assistant for Ireland’s national team. He’s been vetted by numerous other lower tier clubs within English football. Unfortunately for Tuchel, the latest offer could be too good for Barry to pass up.

The assistant is being offered the opportunity to join Lampard at Everton. That may sound like one step forward and two steps back in terms of his career trajectory, but there is speculation he could be given a larger role than the one he currently plays in west London. The future of Duncan Ferguson is unknown at Goodison Park and Jody Morris will not be Lampard’s No. 2 this go around. That potentially opens the door for Barry, should he choose to step down from his current post.

Luckily, Tuchel is going to do everything in his power to retain his assistant. It’s become clear over the last few seasons just how special Barry is as a manager. He’s loved by all of those around him and other clubs seemingly can’t keep their hands off him. There will come a time in the near future when Chelsea has to say farewell to the 35-year-old as he moves up the managerial ladder. It’s not an ‘if’ but rather a ‘when’ as it relates to Barry. Is it finally time to say goodbye?

Do you think Barry will see out the season at Chelsea? Let us know your prediction in the comments or on Twitter!