During the Three Lions’ World Cup match against Croatia in Dallas, England assistant coach Anthony Barry made headlines after he appeared irritated during a half-time interview.
Anthony Barry gives a scathing review of England vs. Croatia’s first-half performance (Image: Getty Images)
Manager Thomas Tuchel has given Anthony Barry the green light to continue with his brutally honest half-time TV interview.
England assistant manager Barry shocked millions of viewers with his frank assessment of his side’s first-half performance against Croatia, which was broadcast live on ITV. Barry said England played a “complex and confusing” first half and created a “horrible pattern”, and was harshly critical of his players for not following instructions and “playing long when they should have played short and playing short when they should have played long”.
It raised eyebrows that England manager Tuchel’s backroom staff were so critical of the team’s performance, especially during matches.
However, it is understood that the Football Association has no plans for any changes and that Barry will continue to give half-time television interviews throughout the tournament.
Indeed, Barry’s candid opinions were well-received by viewers who enjoyed his candor during ITV’s coverage of the first 45 minutes of England’s 4-2 Group L opener against Croatia.
ITV reporter Gabriel Clarke is one of the best interviewers on television and it was a great and insightful show.
A new policy for this World Cup has been for each country to conduct halftime interviews, but this is said to be “a request, not an obligation.”
Barry can’t stop speaking at half-time (Image: Getty Images)
Some countries are sending coaches and non-playing substitutes, and some are clearly taking it more seriously than others.
The match was to be played on either the Horse broadcast station or FIFA TV, and when ITV played the first match, it was Clarke who spoke to Barry and immediately set very high standards.
However, the FA consider this to be what they are expected to do and it is agreed internally that it will never befall Tuchel or the players, so it seems certain that Barry will continue in half-time duties for the foreseeable future.
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