BARNSLEY chief executive officer Jon Flatman is envisaging a busy summer window of transfer activity at Oakwell as the League One club realign their squad in the image of new head coach Daniel Stendel.

The German has returned for a second spell in charge of the Reds and his arrival will see a change in playing style back towards the fast-paced gegenpressing instincts which were the hallmark of his first stint at the club.

In terms of incoming recruitment, the main emphasis will on recruiting young, hungry and athletic players, while there will also be departures among a playing squad who have finished in 15th and 12th place following two disappointing past two seasons.

Flatman told The Yorkshire Post: "We're going to have a competitive budget and we're going to recruit players that come here because they want to play for the shirt and we're going to let players go who don't want to play for the shirt.

Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel. Picture Tony Johnson.

placeholder image — Barnsley head coach Daniel Stendel. Picture Tony Johnson.

"Daniel's going to play a certain type of football and everyone will be completely aware of what that football is when they come here. And when they come here, they're expected to deliver that style of football.

"If we get it right and click, we'll have a successful season. If we don't, we'll work harder and smarter, and a year later we'll be even more up to speed with Daniel's changes. That's the picture of where we're at."

After finishing his commitments with Hannover reserve team in his native Germany, Stendel has had little time for rest and is 'all over' preparations for pre-season and the 2026-27 campaign, according to Flatman.

That has extended to his involvement with the recruitment department regarding prospective new signings.

Daniel Stendel led the Reds to promotion from the third tier in 2018-19. (Photo by Harry Trump/Getty Images)

The 52-year-old met with key staff during a four-day visit last week. He will return later this month ahead of the club’s players and staff returning for pre-season work.

On Stendel, he continued: "Daniel signed his contract and then we had calls from the next day onwards.

"He came over for four days (last week), which was really good.

"He got to meet staff and did a presentation to a lot of football and non-football staff. He went down to Wembley (for the L1/L2 play-off finals) and obviously saw a couple of games down there.

"He's full-on and into it. There's been recruitment calls pretty much every day and player analysis work.

"He's in contact with S&C (strength and conditioning), sports science and analysis already as to what he wants and when. He's all over it as you'd expect. And that's the reason why we appointed him early.

"I think when he comes and he lands in front of the players (for pre-season), they're going to feel some energy. They're going to feel a real drive.

"Obviously, once Daniel came in, it was important for recruitment to understand what type of player Daniel wanted and what kind of, what attributes were really important to him and what were less so.

"I think that method's really been communicated now.

"There's regular conversations between recruitment, Bobby (Hassell), Daniel and between our analysts to ensure the players we're presenting are the right ones for Daniel, as well as just being the 'right ones', if that makes sense.

"Ownership are involved in those conversations as well, which is good, because ultimately, it's their sign-off on the numbers. There are lots of names out there.

"We want to make sure our recruitment is right. And the recruitment should be very visible for a fanbase, as to the type of player that we're recruiting. It should be clear and obvious."