🔗 Share this article

A decade ago, the England assistant coach competed for Accrington Stanley. Now, he is focused on helping Thomas Tuchel claim the World Cup trophy next summer. The road from player to coach commenced as an unpaid coach coaching youngsters. He recalls, “It was in the evenings, third of a pitch, asked to do 11 v 11 … flat balls, not enough bibs,” and it captivated him. He discovered his purpose.

Metoric Climb

The coach's journey has been remarkable. Starting as Paul Cook’s assistant, he built a name through unique exercises and excellent people skills. His stints with teams included top European clubs, while also serving in roles with national teams across multiple countries. He has worked with legends including Thiago Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, Cristiano Ronaldo. Today, as part of Team England, it's all-consuming, the “pinnacle” according to him.

“Everything starts with a dream … Yet I'm convinced that obsession can move mountains. You have the dream but then you bring it down: ‘What's the process, day-by-day, step-by-step?’ Our goal is the World Cup. But dreams won’t get it done. We must create a methodical process enabling us for optimal success.”

Detail-Oriented Approach

Obsession, especially with the smallest details, defines Barry’s story. Toiling around the clock all the time, he and Tuchel challenge limits. Their strategies involve player analysis, a strategy for high temperatures for the finals abroad, and fostering teamwork. The coach highlights the national team spirit and avoids language including "pause".

“This isn't a vacation or a break,” he explains. “We had to build something that attracts the squad and where they're challenged that going back is a relief.”

Greedy Coaches

He characterizes himself along with the manager as “very greedy”. “We aim to control all parts of the match,” he declares. “We seek to command every metre of the pitch and that’s what we spend many of our days on. Our responsibility to not only anticipate of the trends and to lead and innovate. This is continuous focused on finding solutions. And to simplify complexity.

“There are 50 days together with the team before the World Cup finals. We must implement a sophisticated style that gives us a tactical advantage and we have to make it so clear during that time. It’s to take it from thought to data to knowledge to execution.

“To build a methodology that allows us to be productive in that window, we have to use all the time available after our appointment. In the time we don’t have the players, it's vital to develop bonds with each player. We have to spend time in calls with players, we have to see them in stadiums, feel them, touch them. If we limit ourselves to that time, we won't succeed.”

Upcoming Matches

The coach is focusing ahead of the concluding matches of World Cup qualifiers – facing Serbia at home and in Albania. England have guaranteed qualification after six consecutive victories without conceding a goal. But there will be no easing off; quite the opposite. Now is the moment to build on the team's style, for further momentum.

“Thomas and I are both pretty clear that the style of play should represent everything that is good about the Premier League,” Barry says. “The physicality, the adaptability, the physicality, the honesty. The Three Lions kit should be harder than ever to get but comfortable to have on. It should feel like a cape not protective gear.

“For it to feel easy, we need to provide an approach that enables them to operate as they do in club games, that feels natural and allows them to take the handbrake off. They need to reduce hesitation and more in doing.

“You can gain psychological edges you can get as a coach in attack and defense – starting moves deep, attacking high up. However, in midfield of the pitch, those 24 metres, we believe play has stagnated, notably in domestic leagues. Coaches have extensive data now. They understand tactics – mid-blocks, deep blocks. We are really trying to increase tempo across those 24 metres.”

Passion for Progress

The coach's thirst to get better knows no bounds. While training for the Uefa pro licence, he had concerns over the speaking requirement, as his cohort included stars including former players. So, to build his skill set, he went into tough situations he could find to improve his talks. Such as Walton jail in his home city of Liverpool, and he trained detainees during an exercise.

He completed the course in 2020 at the top of the class, with his thesis – The Undervalued Set Piece, for which he analysed thousands of throw-ins – was published. Lampard was among those convinced and he hired Barry to his team with the Blues. When Lampard was sacked, it was telling that the team dismissed virtually all of his coaches but not Barry.

His replacement at Stamford Bridge became Tuchel, and, four months later, he and Barry won the Champions League. When he was let go, the coach continued under Graham Potter. However, when Tuchel returned at Munich, he got Barry out away from London to rejoin him. The Football Association consider them a duo similar to Southgate and Holland.

“Thomas is unique {in terms of personality and methodology|in character and approach|