Sunderland were interested in hiring Anthony Barry back in August as the Black Cats attempted to replace Alex Neil.
It was The Sun who claimed that Sunderland wanted to appoint the 36-year-old before Tony Mowbray arrived.
Eventually, Barry chose to stay in his coaching role at Chelsea, although he has now received praise from Jamie Carragher after accepting a very exciting role.
What’s the story?
Well, Sunderland could have had “one of the country’s top coaches” at the Stadium of Light according to Carragher.
Barry has now decided to join Thomas Tuchel at Bayern Munich after the German offered him the chance of a reunion at the Allianz Arena – the pair worked together at Chelsea.
In response to Bayern Munich’s announcement of the news, Carragher wrote on Twitter: “What an opportunity and experience this will be for Anthony Barry, one of the country’s top coaches! If Tuchel wants you to join him at Bayern Munich you must be doing something right!! Good luck lad.”
The Sun added that Barry was also wanted by Sunderland before they hired Neil, so it seems those on Wearside have a lot of admiration for the Liverpool-born coach.
Sunderland could still hire Anthony Barry
By the sounds of it, Sunderland’s interest in Barry is not something that simply came and went.
Sunderland seem to hold a longstanding interest in Tuchel’s No.2 – we believe their paths could still cross one day despite his move to Bayern Munich.
A number of assistants are moving into managerial roles nowadays as they attempt to step out from the shadows, such as Mikel Arteta, Michael Beale and Ruben Selles.
It is an emerging trend in football, and if things don’t last for Barry alongside Tuchel in Bavaria, and Mowbray – whose contract expires in 2024 – has left a vacancy at Sunderland, then anything is possible.
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