Further praise for Chelsea and Ireland coach Anthony Barry

John Egan has over 300 senior professional appearances to his name, combined across England’s top four divisions, but the 28-year-old Sheffield United and Ireland defender is still learning all sorts of new and exciting things from Chelsea coach Anthony Barry, who’s taken on a role with the Republic of Ireland National Football Team recently as well.

“This is obviously my first camp working with him and the ideas I’ve learned from him have been unreal in a week already. I can see why he is at a club like Chelsea and it’s fantastic that we have him here. It’s fantastic for every player here to learn from him.

“Without going into too much detail, on the training ground there are ideas for different scenarios on the pitch. He’s top-class.”

As at Chelsea, Barry’s focusing on coaching defenders, and while Egan doesn’t go into specific detail, it sounds like Barry’s methods and ideas are going down very well with his eager audience in the national team as well.

The rising coaching star joined head coach Stephen Kenny’s staff in March, while continuing to also fulfill his responsibilities at Chelsea.

“The ideas we are getting on the training pitch are fantastic. Anthony has obviously come back from the Champions League final with Chelsea and the ideas he is bringing into the camp are second to none.

“We are all like sponges, really, just trying to learn and trying to improve every day. I think it’s been really beneficial this week.”

-John Egan; source: Irish News

In the immediate wake of Tuchel’s arrival in late January, Barry, who had just arrived the summer prior from Wigan, was linked with a head coaching position at Fleetwood Town, but fortunately he decided to stay and continue to play a big role in improving the team, especially on set pieces.

Long may that continue!