FLW’s Barnsley fan pundit gives their opinion on the potential return of former manager Daniel Stendel
Barnsley FC have endured a fairly dismal end to the season, with a run of horrendous form coupled with play-off disappointment.
The Tykes finished in a respectable sixth place in League One, giving them the chance to compete in the play-offs, but a horrible run of form saw manager Neill Collins sacked with one game to go in the regular season.
Since then, South Yorkshire has been led by interim manager Martin Devaney, who presided over a devastating loss to Bolton Wanderers in the play-off semifinals.
Numerous names are already being floated to take Collins’ place permanently in the dugout. Daniel Stendel, the club hero and former manager, is reportedly open to coming back to Oakwell the next season, and FLW fan pundit Andy Symcox has shared his thoughts with us.
Following reports that Stendel has held talks with the Barnsley hierarchy about a potential return, Symcox shared his thoughts on a potential reunion with Stendel.
He said: “Personally, I’d welcome him back with open arms as he has a very special place in the recent history of Barnsley for me.
“He was able to unite a fanbase not only behind him but behind the team on the pitch and the squad overall.”
“He had a good number of players sold from under him when we got to the Championship last time,” he continued. “Kieffer Moore, Liam Lindsay, and Ethan Pinnock all went without his approval.” It was really challenging for him.
“But putting that aside, he was very active in Barnsley and would frequently spend a lot of time talking to Barnsley supporters in pubs, seeking to know what drove them.
“For me, with that included, plus all the footballing achievements too, he was a great, great manager and I think we would be fortunate to have him again.”
Stendel return would be ideal for Barnsley
Given Symcox’s positive personal remarks, it goes without saying that if Stendel returns to Barnsley as the rumors suggest, he won’t have any trouble winning over the supporters.
But the fact that he has been promoted and managed a challenging league makes him a perfect addition.
During Stendel’s final season as Barnsley’s manager, the German led the Tykes to a second-place finish and promotion from League One, which included Luton Town, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Coventry City, and Peterborough United.
He would be up against relegated Championship teams like Birmingham City, Rotherham United, and Huddersfield Town this time around, in addition to a revitalized Blackpool and Peterborough.
Even though the teams Barnsley will play in the upcoming season don’t appear nearly as strong as they did in the 2018–19 campaign, a “banana skin” moment could still happen, so Stendel’s potential stability would be ideal for Barnsley as they prepare to push for promotion.
The next managerial appointment for the Tykes may not be announced to Barnsley supporters or the rest of the EFL for some time, but one thing is certain: if the German were to return, Barnsley would be the team to watch out for at the top of League One the next season.
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