Wolves have spoken to ‘special’ coach heading to the Qatar World Cup

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Premier League strugglers Wolves have spoken to Chelsea and Belgium assistant coach Anthony Barry as their search for a new manager goes on with no end in sight, according to talkSPORT (19 October, 10am).

With Mick Beale admitting in midweek that he dreams of coaching at the very highest level, it seemed that there was some light at the end of the tunnel.

Wolverhampton Wanderers, after talks with the likes of Julen Lopetegui, Nuno Espirito Santo and Peter Bosz hit the buffers, identified the former Aston Villa and Rangers assistant as their number one target to take over from Bruno Lage in the Molineux dugout.

Could Wolves go for Anthony Barry following Mick Beale snub?

So reports that Beale has now rebuffed their advances, per The Athletic, threatens to send Wolves all the way back to square one. Back to the proverbial drawing board. Where do they go from here?

Time will tell whether the Black Country outfit now make an approach for Anthony Barry. They have already held talks with the Liverpool-born 36-year-old. Barry may also prove difficult to lure away from his current role, however.

He works as a first-team coach for both Chelsea and the Belgian national team. As such, he’ll travel to Qatar as part of Roberto Martinez’s staff for the World Cup next month.

Per The Sun, Barry decided against taking over at Huddersfield Town recently. Now, Wolves is obviously a bigger job, on a bigger stage. But convincing one of English football’s most exciting young coaches to turn his back on a potential once-in-a-lifetime opportunity may be easier said than done. The 2022 World Cup is, after all, just a month away.

Barry boasts a UEFA A coaching licence and is renowned for his set-piece expertise. He’s also had spells at Wigan Athletic and with the Republic of Ireland national team.

“The biggest thing I noticed about Anthony was the work ethic,” explains Chris Brass, Wigan’s former head of football operations (Athletic).

“I’d rock up at 6am and he’d already be there. Then he’d ask to come with me to a night game, so he’d be getting home at midnight. He was a sponge. I thought there’s someone special here.”