Cardiff City looking to appoint Man City coach

by **worcester_ccfc** » Wed May 06, 2026 4:36 pm

Cardiff City boss Brian Barry-Murphy is targeting a move for a highly-rated Manchester City academy coach as he looks to reshape his backroom team ahead of next season.

The Bluebirds are in the market for a new goalkeeping coach following confirmation that Gavin Ward will leave the club this summer.

Ward played a key role during Cardiff’s promotion-winning campaign and had been the only remaining member of last season’s first-team coaching staff.

Barry-Murphy has already begun putting his own stamp on the dugout, bringing in Kevin Gibbins from Rochdale and Lee Riley from Manchester City’s youth setup. Now, the Irishman is once again looking towards his former club in a bid to strengthen further.

Max Johnson has emerged as Cardiff’s leading target for the vacant goalkeeping coach position.

The 34-year-old is highly regarded within Manchester City’s academy structure and is understood to be keen on taking the next step in his coaching career.

Johnson boasts more than a decade of experience within City’s system, having joined as an academy goalkeeping coach back in 2013.

His progression has been steady, culminating in his promotion to lead academy goalkeeping coach last summer - a role that has seen him work closely with some of the brightest young talents in English football.

A switch to the Welsh capital would represent Johnson’s first move into senior football coaching, but his grounding at one of the world’s most advanced training environments is viewed as a major asset.

The decision to part ways with Ward was largely driven by Barry-Murphy's desire to go in a different direction and recruit his own man and he is believed to have pushed for Johnson, with whom he worked at the Premier League giants. Lee Riley also has a close connection with Johnson, of course.

Johnson’s coaching journey began early. Having retired from playing early in 2013, he wasted little time transitioning into coaching, taking on a part-time academy goalkeeping role at Blackpool while still finishing his playing days.

As a player, he came through the ranks at Newcastle United before going on to feature for clubs including Inverness, Blyth Spartans and Barrow. While his playing career may not have reached the top level, his coaching trajectory has been far more impressive.

Barry-Murphy’s pursuit of Johnson is the first glimpse of his intent to build towards Cardiff's Championship campaign, starting with compiling a modern, progressive coaching team at Cardiff - one heavily influenced by the methods and philosophy he was exposed to during his time at Manchester City.

On the goalkeeper front, the future of Nathan Trott is still to be rubber-stamped, however sources last week suggested there was an optimism about making the FC Copenhagen stopper's deal permanent.

With pre-season preparations already on the horizon, Cardiff will hope to move quickly to secure their preferred candidate as Barry-Murphy continues to shape his squad and staff for the club’s return to a higher level.

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by **willhenry** » Wed May 06, 2026 5:13 pm

linked with a move to become a senior goalkeeping coach at Cardiff City, a move pushed by former City staff member Brian Barry-Murphy.

Man city academy head goalkeeper coach

by **Welshman in CA** » Wed May 06, 2026 5:19 pm

willhenry wrote:linked with a move to become a senior goalkeeping coach at Cardiff City, a move pushed by former City staff member Brian Barry-Murphy.

Man city academy head goalkeeper coach

Old news.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=249335

by **willhenry** » Wed May 06, 2026 5:22 pm

Sorry didn't see Neds post

by **Welshman in CA** » Wed May 06, 2026 5:27 pm

willhenry wrote:Sorry didn't see Neds post

All good.

by **Blue since 1981** » Wed May 06, 2026 6:06 pm

Heard about this yesterday , this guy is very highly thought of at man city and would be a great addition to our staff

by **worcester_ccfc** » Wed May 06, 2026 7:07 pm

Blue since 1981 wrote:Heard about this yesterday , this guy is very highly thought of at man city and would be a great addition to our staff

Yeah I like the sound of this potential appointment. Makes sense that BBM wants to bring in someone that him and Riley trust.

Sounds like it was BBM's decision for Ward to go so he could bring in someone like this.