Cardiff boss Barry-Murphy signs contract extension

Cardiff City have agreed an improved contract with boss Brian Barry-Murphy ahead of the club's return to the Championship.

The former Manchester City academy coach led the Bluebirds back to the second tier at the first attempt after his appointment last summer.

The 48-year-old, who already had a deal until 2028,- had been linked with Burnley earlier in the close-season, but has signed a new three-year term.

Assistant Lee Riley and head of performance Kevin Gibbins have also agreed new deals to keep them at the club until 2029.

Cardiff owner Vincent Tan said: "Brian proved last season what was possible with hard work and talented young players all pulling in the same way.

"He is considered as one of the best young coaches in British football and we are very pleased to have him leading our team for the longer term."

Barry-Murphy has recently hailed his relationship with Vincent Tan, insisting the Cardiff owner has shown him "nothing other than support".

The retired midfielder spent four weeks in Malaysia with Tan and his family during the summer, giving him insight into the owner's ambitions for the club.

Cardiff had been relegated to League One for the first time in two decades when Barry-Murphy was appointed 13 months ago.

The former Rochdale boss won 27 of his 46 league games, a win rate of 58.7%, during his first season at the Cardiff City Stadium.

With 91 points on the board, they finished second behind Lincoln City, but were the division's top scorers with 90 goals, one more than the champions.

Barry-Murphy, who previously helped develop talents including Chelsea's Cole Palmer, has been praised for bedding in youngsters at Cardiff last season.

Defenders Dylan Lawlor and Ronan Kpakio, midfielder Joel Colwill and winger Isaak Davies all made their Wales debuts after working with the Irishman.

"It's an amazing honour for me, and I'm really grateful to everybody involved," Barry-Murphy told Cardiff's club website.

"When I first came here, I had an idea of how big the club was, but over the course of the last 12 months I think I've probably seen it in all its splendour, so I'm really pleased.

"The energy that we've had from the supporters from the very first day has propelled us forward, at a speed that may have not seemed possible.

"Like anything, once you get things going, moving forward with positivity and with a real togetherness, great things can be achieved."

The Bluebirds will complete their pre-season preparations with a friendly against Italian giants AS Roma on Saturday, 1 August.

Their campaign will then start with a home Carabao Cup tie against League Two side Swindon Town on Saturday, 8 August.

Cardiff will mark their Championship return with a mouthwatering opening game against Wrexham on Monday, 17 August.