Doncaster lose Saunders while O’Driscoll turns down Barnsley

But Sean O’Driscoll will not take over at Barnsley after turning down the opportunity to succeed Keith Hill.

Saunders opened talks with Wolves yesterday about their vacant managerial position after Doncaster confirmed receiving an approach from the struggling Championship club.

He had quickly emerged as the favourite for the job following Wolves’ decision to sack Stale Solbakken on Saturday night in the wake of their FA Cup third-round exit to non-league Luton Town.

Rovers chief executive Gavin Baldwin said: “We have agreed a good deal for Doncaster Rovers.

“Work has already started on trying to find a replacement for Dean and continue our push for promotion back to the Championship. I have spoken with Dean to thank him for the fantastic job he has done here at Doncaster and wish him well for the future.”

Wolverhampton-born O’Driscoll had been another front-runner to be the next Wolves manager, but it was expected he would take the reins at Barnsley instead.

However, O’Driscoll last night revealed he had declined the opportunity to take over the Tykes role with Neil Redfearn, David Flitcroft and Gary Megson now among those tipped to succeed Hill.

Flitcroft was in charge on Saturday as Barnsley gained their first FA Cup win in five years, teenager Danny Rose giving them a 1-0 win over 10-man Burnley.

But regardless of matters at Oakwell, Saunders has taken over at Molineux after Doncaster released a statement yesterday saying they would “not stand in the way of Dean” but that they would “try to keep him at Rovers.”

The statement added that the board had a “strategy for a situation such as this (Saunders leaving) and have a ‘Plan B’ in place”.

Saunders, 48, was in charge of Doncaster when they were relegated to League One last season, but they are firmly in the frame for a swift return to the Championship and moved level with leaders Tranmere by beating Colchester 1-0 on Saturday.

Saunders inherits a side who were tipped for promotion in August but who are now only six points above the drop zone following a dismal six months under Solbakken. Bottom are Barnsley, but O’Driscoll will not be the man to take them forward.

He said in a statement yesterday: “I’m very grateful to have had the opportunity to have spoken to Barnsley.

“In my one meeting with the directors I was keen to ascertain exactly what the short- and long-term strategies and ambitions of the club are and how I may be able to help the club achieve those. At no point were terms discussed by either parties.

“It’s a well-run club whose achievements in successfully maintaining their Championship status for so many seasons should never be underestimated. The directors’ commitment to and passion for Barnsley FC impressed me.

“The directors are understandably keen to make a quick appointment to continue the work of trying to retain the club’s Championship status once again.

“But at this moment, and given the extremely disappointing and sudden nature of my departure from Nottingham Forest, I’ve respectfully declined the opportunity to become Barnsley’s next manager.”

Whoever gets the job at Barnsley will have a fourth-round tie at either Hull City or Leyton Orient to look forward to on the weekend of January 26-27.

Hull’s replay at Orient will take place a week on Tuesday with the Tigers saved by striker Nick Proschwitz’s late intervention in Saturday’s 1-1 draw.

Steve Bruce’s side were heading for a third-round humbling at the KC until the German forward bagged a dramatic last-minute leveller.

Leeds United also drew 1-1, with visiting Birmingham City, on Saturday and now head for a fourth-round replay a week tomorrow knowing victory would secure a fourth-round tie at home to Premier League Tottenham Hotspur.

Sheffield Wednesday also face a third-round replay, at MK Dons a week on Tuesday, with the winners of that tie set to visit Premier League opposition with a trip to either QPR or West Bromwich Albion.

Wednesday drew a blank in a goalless draw with the Dons at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Definitely through to the fourth round are League One Sheffield United whose reward for Saturday’s easy 3-0 success at Oxford United is a fourth-round journey to Premier League strugglers Reading.

Huddersfield Town – who edged a 1-0 success at Charlton Athletic on Saturday – will host an all-Championship encounter with Leicester City in round four.

The tie will offer the Terriers a swift chance of revenge following New Year’s Day’s 6-1 league drubbing.

Middlesbrough, who had few problems against Harrogate Town’s conquerors Hastings United at the weekend, have been handed another seemingly kind draw at home to Aldershot Town in round four.

Aldershot, fourth bottom in League Two, ended the FA Cup hopes of Rotherham United on Saturday with a 3-1 home victory.

Non-league Luton’s reward for their victory over Wolves is a trip to Carrow Road to face Norwich with Newcastle’s conquerors Brighton welcoming the winners of the replay between Swansea and Arsenal to the Amex Stadium.