As far as his new employers Barnsley are concerned, that is just fine.
The former Cheltenham Town, Port Vale and Bristol Rovers chief will start work on the training ground with the Reds players he has inherited later this month.
Clarke’s ambition to use his time at Oakwell to realise his self-declared aim of reaching the Championship – something that eluded him as a player and not just as a manager thus far – was abundantly clear from his press unveiling as head coach at Barnsley, who have also since brought in ex-captain Conor Hourihane as player-coach.
When the 46-year-old visited with the Reds hierarchy, they were immediately taken by his energy and eagerness to deliver, which set him apart from some of the other contenders in a good way.
According to sporting director Mladen Sormaz, “his straight-talking and ‘open and direct’ approach was something that endeared him to the club instantly.”Sormaz made the following observation: “This is a club where they do like head coaches that are honest in their communication and wear their hearts on their sleeves.
“I like the fact that Darrell is straight-taking. I know there’s a perception around clubs sometimes that they want someone who will give them an easy ride.
“I personally think that in football that if you get that little bit of ‘friction’ in terms of where you get different opinions consistently, that’s when the best stuff comes.
“If we both agree – and disagree – on everything, that’s not great.
“But I think Darrell is the sort to tell me (honestly) and I’ll tell him.
Among the men we encountered, I believe my bond with Darrell is the strongest.
“We were only due to meet half an hour, 45 minutes, and we spent two hours with him.”This week, sign up for our new Sports Editor’s TeamTalk newsletter.
Sormaz believes that part of the reason Clarke hasn’t yet tested his managerial prowess in the second tier or had the opportunity to compete at the top of League One is due to circumstances.
After receiving five promotions in his football career, including four as a manager, Clarke is now hoping to take advantage of benefits he felt were denied to him in his prior League One positions.
There is a discernible hunger there that you cannot buy.
Sormaz continued: “I personally think that if you look at his career, it’s really, really strong and his win ratio is crazy and he’s done it at three clubs (Bristol Rovers, Port Vale and Walsall) with fanbases that are expectant.
“I actually think that if it wasn’t for those (personal) things which made him take a sabbatical (at Vale in early 2022), he’d have probably been in the Championship or another strong League One club right now.
“I’ve known him on the market for a long time. The reason it’s come (now) is more the timing.
“We know he’s ready for a big club and to settle in.
“He’s someone who the club have been aware of for a really long time, his track record screams out.”
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