Ex-Ireland coach Anthony Barry takes up Portugal role

Former Republic of Ireland coach Anthony Barry has followed his old boss Roberto Martinez to Portugal, taking up a position as assistant head coach with the national team.

Barry, who works as a coach at Chelsea, replaced Damien Duff as first-team coach with Stephen Kenny's Republic of Ireland side in early 2021.

He was widely cited as an influence in the team's change of formation over the course of the year and won praise for his role in Ireland's successful set-piece routines.

Barry departed the Irish role in February 2022, after being offered a position with Belgium, but Martinez and his management team were sacked in the wake of their first-round exit at the Qatar World Cup.

However, the former Everton manager has now been hired as Portugal boss to replace Fernando Santos and has now brought Barry with him. The Chelsea coach announced the news on Linkedin on Wednesday.

Barry was succeeded as Ireland first-team coach by John Eustace, who left the role four months later after being appointed new manager of Birmingham City.