FORMER REPUBLIC OF Ireland U21 international Brian Barry-Murphy has emerged as the favourite to take over as the new manager at Blackpool.
Barry-Murphy, who’s currently in his first managerial role at fellow League One club Rochdale, had his odds slashed to 91/100 today as bookmakers look to forecast Simon Grayson’s successor.
Grayson was sacked last week after just seven months in the job, having guided Blackpool to one win in their previous 12 games.
Nathan Jones, who was axed as Stoke City boss in November, was the favourite to take over at Bloomfield Road until Barry-Murphy moved ahead in the betting.
The 41-year-old Corkman had been a member of Keith Hill’s coaching staff at Rochdale before being promoted to the manager’s job when Hill was relieved of his duties in March 2019.
After a run of just one victory in 11 games, the club were in the relegation zone at the time. However, with Barry-Murphy overseeing six wins and two draws from their final 11 fixtures of the season, the Spotland outfit ultimately avoided dropping down to League Two.
This season, Rochdale – whose budget is among the smallest in League One – sit in 19th place and they’ve earned plaudits for an attractive style of play.
Your @howarthtimber August Goal of the Month, with 44% of the votes, is... 🥁
— Rochdale AFC (@officiallydale) September 7, 2019
THAT Ian Henderson goal at Southend United, rounding off a stunning 1⃣6⃣ pass move 😍
It was also Hendo's 💯th league goal for the Club 👏
Watch it again, you know you want to! 👇 #RAFC pic.twitter.com/QdPsIQr280
In September, they drew 1-1 with Manchester United at Old Trafford in the third round of the Carabao Cup, before being eliminated via a penalty shootout. Last month, Barry-Murphy’s side took Newcastle United to a replay in the third round of the FA Cup.
Barry-Murphy has also received praise for nurturing the club’s younger players. Their goalscorer at Old Trafford, 16-year-old Luke Matheson, has since earned Rochdale a £1million transfer fee from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
A sizeable Irish contingent – comprising Paul McShane, Eoghan O’Connell, Jimmy Keohane, Jimmy Ryan and Stephen Dooley – is part of the Rochdale squad.
Blackpool, who currently have Ireland U21 playmaker Connor Ronan on loan from Wolves, are due to travel to play AFC Wimbledon on Saturday, while Rochdale are scheduled to host Coventry City.
Barry-Murphy moved into coaching after hanging up his boots at Rochdale in 2017. His playing career, which began at Cork City, also included spells with Preston North End, Sheffield Wednesday and Bury.
Former Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Dunn has taken charge of Blackpool on an interim basis since Simon Grayson’s departure. Dunn had served as first-team coach under Grayson.
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The Roy Keane.
Someone who hasn’t grasped the idea that 5 aside football is normally just for a bit of craic with mates midweek and there are no medals handed out at the end but plays and shouts like it’s the champions league final and is still fuming and talking about it 3 days later.
The Gaelic Footballer.
Doesn’t get the idea of a one-two, thinks short passing is a waste of time and likes belting the ball as hard as he can up the other end of the pitch. Never lets you out of the corner; in fact runs full belt at you and tries to kill you. Loves to drop the shoulder, especially when challenging for the ball near the side wall. Short shorts, big arse, hugely enthusiastic, often whoops, but never gets asked back again.
Classic
Also will never pass the ball backwards.
The better brother of a guy who made it professionaly. The only reason this guy didn’t was because of the drink. ‘Could have played with Celtic’. Slaughters you for 10 minutes then has a coronary for 50 minutes.
The Pro….
Struts onto the turf with the newest gear out, under armour and hairband, first touch of a donkey but counts every goal scored week in week out (I’ve 30 goals in astro this season) and to top it off asks around after the game does anybody know of a good physio cuz he’s feeling a bit tight in the groin….
Eh, what’s up with the dates on people’s comments – they’re all over the shop!?
The sub…
Usually one of the lads sons who come along to get him outta the house so the mother can catch up on Corrie. He’s probably around 12-14 years old. He’ll go in goals so “no hard shots lads, sure he’s only a chap!’ Which is a distinct advantage. He’ll turn out to be amazing and no matter how hard you hit it, he’ll dive full length, collecting the ball in mid flight, a few somersaults and rolls and he’s off up the pitch, nutmegging and steps overs to bate tha band before sticking it in the top corner. As he walks back up the pitch, he’s given a little reminder of what age group of lads he’s actually playing with and someone decides to ‘soften his cough’ by ‘puttin a pup in him’ which ultimately results in a screaming kid rolling around all ‘ronaldo-esque’ with a shoving match between his dad and the offending individual. But all is settled with a few pints in the local with the young lad sippin a lemonade and chompin on a packet o’ Tatyo texting his mates with indecipherable gobbledegook about the dinosaurs he’s destroyed earlier….!
The john terry… He’s around shagging your missus while your not at home
The peter bonetti…..The keeper who is like a cat in 5 a side goals… But gets caught out on the big pitch!
The Heart – possesses all the drive, will and spirit a manager could ever ask of a player. Shows up every week and runs himself into the ground but ultimately has two left shins
Also known as the Zinedine Kilbane. Which would make it 2 right shins.
The Deer
Happy out chasing fellas and the ball. Gets caught in the headlights upon receiving said ball
The Hub
This is the guy who believes that the only good pass is a pass to him – generally loud and persistent.
The had trials ……
The muppet who was been chased by utd and Liverpool as a kid but wanted to do his leaving first! Turns out to be crap and then blames pitch,ball,lighting,his team,his footwear,drink from last night,injury……..
He wouldve made it if it wasnt for the drink…….
Forgot the dreaded “toy boy”. Shows up in the full Real Madrid kit with sparkling new green Astro boots wearing a head bank and gold cross around his neck. Cries off injured after 5 mins as everyone realises he’s awful.
For whatever reason somebody has pulled out due to “work”, always the same person, and the only replacement is another players son or nephew. The next 60 minutes involve getting nutmegged repeatedly and chasing his shadow.
The Rainman – really sweaty guy, with wet marks on chest, armpits, groin after 20secs of play. Spray of water in his wake and if you make any contact with, you may actually drown. Drinks out of everyone’s bottles and is a consistent back washer!! In a nutshell, wet!!
Nothing else happened except my goal… You’ve hammered him 17 3 but he’s scored a good goal… Maybe the best goal of the game but he’s otherwise been abysmal…. He ruffles your keepers head as you leave and tells him… Ha you won’t forget that one in a hurry…. You meet him in a boozer five nights later and he makes you lose the will to live jabbering on about it
“he takes a first touch that’s heavier than a black hole” – you my friend need to get a script writing role for Jim Beglin! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKw3EO3xpQc (1.22, in the best video ever produced by RTE)
The sweaty guy. Starts pumpin after 5 mins. Or the football cogs guy. Catches ure ankle with a stud and just says ‘oh sorry, you alrite ?’ As he jogs on.
The Heather Mills. Can only pass/shoot with one foot which makes him as easy to read, can also be called the Roald Dahl.