Barnsley boss Valerien Ismael planning to improve Reds’ Championship fortunes

The Frenchman, 45, is back in football after being sacked by Austrian Bundesliga outfit LASK Linz in July.

Ismael was dismissed shortly after the club were docked six points for breaching coronavirus lockdown rules – which ended their hopes of winning the top-flight title.

It came after a secretly-taped film of a LASK training session in mid-May – led by Ismael and featuring the whole squad instead of socially-distanced groups – came to light.

LASK ended the season in fourth place after previously being leaders before the points penalty.

Strasbourg-born Ismael, who had a spell in his playing career in England at Crystal Palace in the late Nineties, was one of three final candidates for the vacant head coaching position along with interim head coach Adam Murray and former Brondby and Leipzig head coach Alexander Zorniger.

Ismael has signed a three-year deal and will watch today’s Championship game at Millwall from the stands with Murray taking the team for the final time.

The new coach will take training and meet the Reds squad tomorrow and will be officially unveiled at a press conference on Monday ahead of his first match in charge the following day – at home to Queens Park Rangers.

On his appointment, Ismael said: “I would like to thank Paul Conway and Dane Murphy for the open and productive dialogue that we have had up to this point, and for the great chance that they have given me to manage in English football as the coach of Barnsley FC.

“I feel a great deal of excitement about the new position and the new challenges that it brings and I cannot wait to get to know the team, my coaching staff, everyone who works at the club and of course the Reds fans at Oakwell too (in time), so that together we can get started and hit the ground running.”

Ismael’s time in Linz saw the club reach the last 32 of the Europa League last term, when they bowed out to Manchester United.

LASK topped a group containing the likes of Sporting Lisbon and PSV Eindhoven before overcoming AZ Alkmaar to set up a tie with United.

The former centre-half – who worked with Barnsley forward Dominik Frieser during his time in Austria – has also managed in the German Bundesliga with Wolfsburg in 2016-17 and is known for his high-pressing style of play.

Commenting on the decision to opt for Ismael, Barnsley CEO Dane Murphy added: “In Valérien, we have a young, ambitious coach who already possesses a wealth of footballing experience across the continent.

“Throughout the recruitment process, he was the standout candidate and his style of play will complement our philosophy.

“Valérien is aware of the quality within our squad and with his guidance, the board believe that he is well suited to continuing our players’ development while simultaneously solidifying our position in the Sky Bet Championship.”

Ismael takes over a side who are without a win in six Championship matches so far this season, with the Reds having taken just three points from a possible 18.

After his first game in charge at home to QPR, Barnsley – currently only outside of the relegation zone on goals difference – entertain Watford at Oakwell next Saturday before away trips to Cardiff City and Derby County ahead of the next international break.

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