Middlesbrough v Barnsley - My focus remains on Tykes, for now, says Gerhard Struber

While Middlesbrough chief Neil Warnock – eighth in the all-time list of managers boasting over 1,000 professional games in the dug-out – will be rightly feted for joining that exclusive club of bosses to take charge of 1,500 matches, Barnsley supporters are entitled to wonder if it will be the last appointment at the helm for Gerhard Struber, yet to manage the club for 40 fixtures.

At his pre-match press conference on Friday lunch-time, Struber attempted to straight-bat questions about his future – and specifically an approach from New York Red Bulls to take over – in the manner that Sir Geoffrey Boycott would have done when facing a particularly lively opening bowler in his formative years at Barnsley Cricket Club.

The Austrian tried his best to be watchful in his defence, but the fact that he repeatedly spoke about the ‘here and now’ and ‘focus’ and made little reference to the future make you naturally wonder what was around the corner during the two-week long international break.

Sometimes, it is what you don’t say as opposed to what you do.

Struber, who has a buy-out clause in his contract allowing him to speak to any suitors if a fee is reached, said: “I think we had very good training this week and the boys have a big focus in this game and at the moment for me, my team and the whole club, it is the most important thing. The other things (speculation) are normal in football.

“My agent and management have been talking with some clubs in the last few weeks and months and for me, my focus is here in Barnsley and to prepare the boys in the right direction.

“What is after the game and in the next few months, I cannot say. I have a contract here and we will see what the time brings. But my focus is in the here and now and not giving a reaction to what comes from outside.

“I’ve had a very good time here and I have a very good time here. What can I say? No more.

“My agent does not give me every (piece of) information. It is not helpful for me or my focus. We have a big game and the agent has my big trust and he always makes a very good job. I am not thinking about the next weeks and days and I enjoy my time in the here and now.”

Like players, managers are ultimately commodities and clearly have their own careers and ambitions to consider.

Having turned heads with his impressive feats at Barnsley last season, Struber is someone who has garnered a fair bit of interest, just as any leading footballer at the club would at a relatively young age in his career if he was performing well.

It is the nature of the beast – particularly at Oakwell sadly – and it is why Struber is quick to emphasise that the talk about his future has not proved a distraction for his players this week.

Struber, who will fly to Austria for a couple of days with his family on Sunday – players and staff are due back to work on Tuesday – commented: “I think my players know the situation around me and I think in the last few weeks and months, the media have always reported about clubs that have interest in me and I think the boys handled that in a very good direction.

“My players are not stupid and understand everything and the football world. In the football world, it is always a little bit in the media. The team is a very good shape and we are ready for Middlesbrough.”

The coming days have the potential to be definitive not just regarding the situation with Struber, but in terms of another fundamental aspect of the club’s season.

The international transfer deadline is looming on Monday at 11pm, leaving Barnsley with just a few days to complete any signings from the continent and more specifically seal a move for a much-needed new striker, with the Reds looking deficient in that department.

Should the club fail to bring in reinforcements in that regard, it could potentially make Struber’s decision-making easier if he is forced to choose between Barnsley and New York – or anywhere else for that matter.

On the search for new signings and an additional targetman option up front – with Kieffer Moore having not yet been replaced despite moving over a year ago –- Struber commented: “The decision is in the hands of the owners at the moment.

“I am confident that the owners will take the right decision. I understand the supporters from Barnsley and I have the same opinion that it is necessary for the team (bringing in a big striker) and the big goals this season.

“We have a long season and we need a bigger squad.

“The owners know that and I hope that they make a good decision.”

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James Mitchinson