Many managers might think twice, to be honest. A case of right job, wrong time maybe.
Darrell Clarke has been around the block long enough in his managerial career to make up his own mind.
He will be aware that it won’t be easy to turn around the Reds’ fortunes after they lost their spark in the last third of the season and convert them back into a competitive force at the forefront of a League One that is expected to be extremely strong in 2024–2025.
On the other hand, Clarke has never been accused of backtracking from a challenge in his management career, which is fortunate for his new position.
The 46-year-old has gone through ups and downs at multiple of his previous teams, both on and off the field.similar to the Cheltenham Town team that assumed control in late September. Despite having just one point and failing to score in their first 11 games, they nearly pulled off a miracle by managing to stay in League One.
That helps to explain why he will back himself at Oakwell. The sketch is hardly as scary.
Clarke said: “At Bristol Rovers, I had one (training) pitch and at Cheltenham, there was no hydrotherapy (facilities) and the budget was bottom six (in EFL).
“I have had to work in different circumstances and I believe this is my first proper opportunity. I want to grasp that with two hands. I am not going to say I am going to do this and that, but I will give it my absolute best as it’s a club that certainly deserves to be playing higher.”
He will undoubtedly be able to manage fans’ expectations, win their respect, and provide them with a product they will enjoy on the field.
It’s OK if doing so requires him to demonstrate his versatility in terms of strategy and approach.
“Recalling Bristol Rovers from our non-league days, imagine managing them in their non-league days with their fan base as well,” he said.
“As a head coach and manager, I would estimate that I have around 600 games under my belt with a variety of experiences at various clubs.
“However, I am a tracksuit manager who enjoys getting his teams moving and pursuing teams.” That’s what we have to do at Barnsley, put out a product that’s competitive with strong press and a style of play that makes our supporters jump out of their seats.
“We hadn’t scored a goal in 11 games when I arrived at Cheltenham, but all of a sudden, we were winning, and the supporters began to believe it and enjoy their football.” At Cheltenham, as with other clubs, I had to develop new ways.
“We have the chance to be able to develop that team at Barnsley in order to be able to leave that league.”It’s understandable why Clarke is so focused on attitude when it comes to the groups and individuals that play for him, especially after coming dangerously close to pulling off a spectacular feat of relegation escapology at Cheltenham Athletic.
“That’s not negotiable for me,” he declared. When you work with younger athletes, you aim to cultivate that
“Developing mental toughness—the will to believe that you can overcome any obstacle and the assurance that you are giving it your all—is essential. They have put in so much work, I don’t mind if I am stretching them off the field. We need to be about that, but we also need to be about something more.
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