As the frenzy surrounding the chase for a new manager for the Ireland men's team continues, it's been hard to keep track of the names thrown into the ring thus far - and now ex-Ireland assistant Anthony Barry has been added to the list.
In the past fortnight alone, we've heard Roy Keane, Sam Allardyce, Chris Hughton, Tony Mowbray, Brian Kerr, and Lee Carsley's respective credentials brought up by Ireland legends and pundits alike, while former Celtic manager Neil Lennon is also among those who have thrown their own hat in the ring.
The FAI are simultaneously tasked with finding a permanent successor to Vera Pauw as manager of the Ireland WNT - interim manager Eileen Gleeson has remained coy in recent weeks as to whether she may remain in the role.
An announcement on the WNT role is expected before Christmas, meaning that it will likely be the new year before we have clarity on who will take over from Stephen Kenny in charge of the men's team - meaning in turn that we can expect much more debate between now and then on who is best suited to the role.
Reports in the UK on Wednesday suggest that a familiar face has entered the fray, with Kenny's former assistant coach Anthony Barry in the mix to be appointed as manager.
READ HERE: Manchester United Legend Says Team Are "Confused" By Erik Ten Hag's Tactics
READ HERE: Scott Brown Takes Cheeky Dig At Rangers Over Bizarre Refereeing Stat
Ex-Ireland assistant linked with return as manager
The Telegraph report on Wednesday that Bayern Munich and Portugal assistant coach Anthony Barry has emerged as a "leading candidate" to take over from Stephen Kenny in charge of the Ireland MNT.
26 March 2022; Belgium coach Anthony Barry and manager Roberto Martinez, left, during the international friendly match between Republic of Ireland and Belgium at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. Photo by Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
Barry was previously an assistant with Chelsea for three years in the early 2020s, and worked under Thomas Tuchel during his 18-month spell in charge of the Blues, in which time they won a Champions League crown in 2021.
During his time with Chelsea, he combined his duties in London with a role as Ireland assistant under Stephen Kenny, before departing early in 2022 to join Roberto Martinez's coaching team with Belgium.
Earlier this year, Barry followed both Tuchel and Martinez on their respective new ventures to Bayern Munich and Portugal - he is currently combining roles as assistant coach with both teams.
According to the Telegraph's report, Barry is "at the top" of the FAI's shortlist of candidates, but the potential seven-figure compensation fee that would need to be paid to Bayern Munich may prove too great a sticking point.
Bayern were required to pay a similar fee when poaching Barry from Chelsea earlier this year, so it is expected that the FAI would have to deliver the same compensation.
Given the recency of Barry's move to the jobs in Munich and Portugal, it is also hard to know how willing he would be to move to a managerial role elsewhere.
It would also, of course, be a risk for the FAI to appoint a coach who, though certainly experienced, has never taken solo charge of a team.
Nonetheless, his familiarity with this squad and impressive CV despite his youth are two major plus points in his favour, as the hunt for Kenny's successor continues.
And, perhaps most of all, there is Barry's famed research paper on the impact of throw-ins in the modern game, which examined over 16,000 throw-ins during the 2018-19 Premier League season and their impact on the flow of the respective matches in which they occurred. This just might be the man to propel Ireland forward.
SEE ALSO: 'The Crowd Won't Go Home' - Jack Charlton's Swansong At Anfield
