Ipswich Town manager's job betting market sees Chelsea coach Anthony Barry installed as second favourite

Anthony Barry has been installed as the second favourite for the vacant Ipswich Town manager's job.

The 35-year-old is currently on the coaching staff at Premier League side Chelsea, where he has been the responsibility of setting up the team for set pieces – both offensively and defensively.

And he has made an impression in that role, with the Blues having scored from 19 set-piece situations since he was appointed in August 2020 – only Liverpool (20) and West Ham United (22) have found the back of the net more regularly during that timeframe.

Barry – a midfielder during his playing days – was known to have been a managerial target of his former club Fleetwood Town earlier this year.

And according to subscription-based publication The Athletic, the likes of Aberdeen, Cardiff City and Tranmere Rovers have all sounded out the Liverpool-born coach when they were recently searching for new bosses.

The report adds that Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel is very keen to retain Barry on his backroom staff and the pair are said to have a very strong relationship.

However, his move with BetVictor into 2/1 to replace Paul Cook at Portman Road may indicate that the Tractor Boys are the latest club to have registered an interest as they enter day 11 without a permanent boss.

Barry is also well known to the departed Cook, with the pair having worked together when the latter was in charge at Wigan Athletic.

Barry, who played for the likes of Accrington Stanley, Wrexham and Forest Green Rovers, is also part of the coaching team with the Republic of Ireland senior side.

The out-of-work Neil Harris remains the favourite, although he was tight lipped on the speculation late last week.