Daniel Stendel linked with Barnsley FC return as League One club close in on next head coach
BARNSLEY are closing in on the appointment of a new head coach following the departure of Conor Hourihane.
Reports in Germany have linked Daniel Stendel with a second return to Oakwell and it is understood that the club have spoken with the 52-year-old about the vacant position.
Other candidates have also been discussed regarding potentially replacing Hourihane, who left the League One outfit last weekend after just over one full season at the helm.
Stendel - who was strongly touted for a Reds return after Neill Collins' departure towards the end of the 2023-24 campaign - was a favourite with supporters during his time in South Yorkshire.
The German led the club to automatic promotion to the Championship from League One during a memorable 2018-19 campaign.
Despite being sacked after a ten-match winless sequence early in 2019-20, which saw the club drop to second from bottom in the second-tier table, Stendel’s relationship with fans remained strong. He had a farewell drink with Reds followers in a town centre pub prior to leaving.
After leaving Barnsley, Stendel later spent a period in charge at Scottish Premier League side Hearts and had a stint at French outfit Nancy before returning to old club Hannover as reserve team coach in 2022.
Hannover II's season in the fourth tier of German football will finish shortly, with Stendel widely expected to move on.
Alongside sorting out the club's next head coach, another pressing issue for the Reds is their retained list. David McGoldrick is among the players whose contracts expire in June.
The club's top-scorer in 2025-26 has interest from rival EFL clubs, but is waiting on manager developments at Barnsley first.