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From Lower-League Coach to World Cup Sidelines
A decade after ending his playing career at Accrington Stanley, Anthony Barry will stand beside Thomas Tuchel at the 2026 World Cup as the sole Englishman in the core coaching staff. The 39-year-old's journey from lower-league football to elite clubs and national teams marks one of football's most striking ascents.
A Career Built on Elite Stints
Barry's resume includes roles at Chelsea, Bayern Munich, and the national teams of Portugal and Belgium. His first coaching position post-retirement was as Wigan's assistant manager. After impressing Frank Lampard during a UEFA Pro Licence course, he joined Chelsea as first-team coach in 2020. When Tuchel replaced Lampard in 2021, Barry remained on staff, contributing to the club's Champions League triumph that season.
His international experience expanded under Roberto Martínez, first with Belgium and later Portugal, where he worked alongside stars like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kevin de Bruyne. Barry reunited with Tuchel at Bayern Munich in 2023 before following him to England's national team setup.
The Yin to Tuchel's Yang
Barry describes his partnership with Tuchel as complementary, despite their contrasting physiques and backgrounds. "It's little and large from the outside," he told BBC Sport, grinning throughout a 10-minute interview. "We spend a lot of time together-speaking, working, fighting, building teams. He's a person and character I admire."
The duo, along with staffers Henrique Hilário, Nico Mayer, and James Melbourne, recently signed contracts extending through 2028. Justin Cochrane, a former Tottenham coach, will join the wider staff during international breaks.
Set-Pieces and Team Spirit
Known for his innovative approach, Barry specializes in set-pieces-a focus of his Pro Licence dissertation, which analyzed 17,000 throw-ins. However, he dismisses the notion that set-pieces will dominate the World Cup, despite the tournament's scheduled drinks breaks. "I think set-pieces have always been huge," he said. "It's just now they're under a bigger spotlight."
Tuchel aims to replicate a club-like atmosphere for England, prioritizing camaraderie over tactical tweaks. "We'll get 50 training days before the US," Barry noted. "The petrol in the car is team spirit-the connection to each other."
Preparing for the Heat and the Mission
With the World Cup set to be played in high temperatures, Barry acknowledged the challenge. "It's an extra hurdle, but there will be no excuses," he said. The team will arrive early to acclimatize, though Barry emphasized: "We have to beat the opponent, we have to beat the heat."
Tuchel and Barry recently selected a 35-man squad for friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, whittling it down to 26 for the tournament. Their criteria extend beyond ability, considering "social and psychological" factors to foster unity during a potential eight-week campaign.
"We want everybody to have the best six weeks of their life. That's how we'll pitch it to the players-let's go out there and make memories together."
Anthony Barry
Learning from Chelsea's US Success
Last summer, Barry and Tuchel visited the US to scout venues during the Club World Cup. They studied training facilities, pitch conditions, and drew confidence from Chelsea's victory. "An English team can win there," Barry said. "They proved it after a long Premier League season."
As England's campaign approaches, Barry and Tuchel face scrutiny over their ability to deliver a World Cup triumph. "We know what the mission is," Barry stated. "We absolutely want to try and win it."
