#4 Gareth Barry
Some players have just been there, and done that, none more so than Barry.
When you play at the top level for almost 20 years, you have seen football evolve from a drinking culture to a sport brimming with some of the finest athletes on the planet. People who weren’t born when Barry made his debut for Aston Villa are facing the veteran week in week out. There is nothing he hasn’t seen. As a manager, any player tantrum, over enthusiastic agent, any training ground bust-up Barry could handle – he’s seen it all before.
Barry has had the controversial transfers, captained several sides, played a pivotal and often understated role in Manchester City’s title-winning season, is capped by his country over 50 times, all while serving under some of the best and worst managers in the game. Learning can often come in the form of how not to do things. Is there any management traits left for Barry to learn?
