Cardiff City are looking to appoint a new first-team physical performance coach as Brian Barry-Murphy continues his extensive behind-the-scenes overhaul ahead of the club’s Championship campaign.
While supporters are still waiting for the Bluebirds to bring in their first new signing of the summer – aside from triggering the clause to make Nathan Trott’s loan move permanent – the manager has wasted little time putting his own stamp on the football club away from the transfer market.
Barry-Murphy has already overseen a number of significant changes this summer.
Goalkeeper coach Gavin Ward has departed, with Manchester City academy coach Max Johnson understood to be in line to replace him, while Cardiff have strengthened their recruitment department by appointing former Swansea City recruitment operations and analysis lead Dominic Newton as senior technical scout.
The club have also carried out a refurbishment of their Hensol training base ahead of the players’ return for pre-season on Monday, with improvements including a revamped gym and new motivational signage throughout the Vale Resort.
Now, Cardiff have advertised for a first-team physical performance coach, another key addition to Barry-Murphy’s backroom team as preparations continue for the new season.
The successful candidate will report to head of performance Kevin Gibbins and will be tasked with optimising player availability and physical performance by delivering “elite, integrated, evidence-based physical performance support” to the first-team squad.
Among the responsibilities outlined in the job advert are leading the monitoring and analysis of player performance data, designing individual strength and conditioning programmes, overseeing player testing and workload management, assisting with rehabilitation programmes and working closely with the club’s medical, coaching and nutrition staff.
Interestingly, the club advertised for a first-team performance nutritionist earlier in the summer, underlining Barry-Murphy’s attention to detail and desire to get things right off the pitch. It comes after the club announced a new partnership mid-way through last season with a company called A-Head of the Game, who are now Cardiff’s official meal prep partner.
The new first-team physical performance coach will work closely with the newly-appointed performance nutritionist.
Although Gibbins’ official title remains head of performance, players and sources have indicated he has been heavily involved in football matters, working closely with Barry-Murphy as the manager continues to reshape the club’s football operation.
The recruitment of a new physical performance coach follows Barry-Murphy’s decision to reshape his support staff, with Johnson expected to replace Ward as goalkeeper coach.
It underlines the meticulous approach the former Manchester City academy boss has taken during his second summer in charge.
Rather than focusing solely on new signings, Barry-Murphy has prioritised strengthening the club’s infrastructure, recruitment department and performance environment before the Championship campaign gets under way.
However, it’s not lost on fans – or club staff – that new signings need to be made. While the market is currently moving slowly, which can be typical for a World Cup year, Bluebirds supporters will likely want to see half-a-dozen new signings all across the squad if Cardiff are to make an impact in the second tier this year.
That being said, with momentum behind them, and a number of hugely-talented youngsters now a year older and with experience and a promotion under their belts, there is a real buzz ahead of the players’ return.
Cardiff’s players will report back for pre-season on Monday, with Barry-Murphy expected to continue refining both his squad and his staff in the weeks ahead.