Thomas Tuchel wants to add Chelsea and Portugal coach Anthony Barry to his coaching staff after agreeing to become the new manager of Bayern Munich.
The German coach was appointed as Bayern’s new boss on Friday after the German giants shockingly sacked Julien Nagelsmann.
Tuchel is expected to bring with him trusted allies Zsolt Low and Arno Michels, but according to The Telegraph is also targeting Barry to add to his backroom team and Chelsea are bracing themselves for a battle to keep their highly-rated coach.
Barry was brought to the club under Frank Lampard, having previously worked as the assistant manager to Paul Cook at Wigan and enjoyed a playing career in the lower league’s with clubs such as Yeovil and Accrington Stanley.
After Lampard’s departure, the 36-year-old stayed at the club and worked under Tuchel as Chelsea won the Champions League. He then remained at Stamford Bridge as part of Graham Potter’s staff following the German’s sacking.
Thomas Tuchel is back in management having agreed to become Bayern Munich’s new boss
The German wants to add Chelsea coach Anthony Barry to his coaching team at Munich
Barry also has international experience having worked with the Republic of Ireland before teaming-up with Roberto Martinez in part-time role firstly with Belgium, and now part of Portugal’s coaching set-up.
Tuchel is understood to rate Barry extremely highly and would like to work with the coach once again.
However, there is no indication on whether Barry would be interested in joining Tuchel at Bayern or if Chelsea would allow their former head coach to speak to him about moving to Germany.
Bayern relieved Nagelsmann of his services having been unconvinced by the former RB Leipzig boss. With CEO Oliver Kahn admitting the club were forced to act after watching ‘big fluctuations in our performances’.
The German giants currently trail Borussia Dortmund by a point at the top of the Bundesliga and Tuchel will come face-to-face with his former his first game in charge.
Tuchel could also face a return to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League if his troops get past Manchester City and the Blues overcome Real Madrid in their quarter-final clashes.
Barry combines his Chelsea role with working part-time as part of Portugal’s back room staff
Source: dailymail.co.uk
