Wilson quick to join queue to replace Robins at Tykes

The Tykes legend has applied for the vacant manager’s job at Oakwell following the resignation of Mark Robins.

Wilson created history 14 years ago by leading the South Yorkshire club into the Premier League for the first and, as yet, only time.

Although he joined Sheffield Wednesday after the Oakwell club’s failure to survive in the top flight, his four-year reign is still regarded as a golden era by Barnsley supporters.

Wilson, now 51, has been out of work since quitting Swindon Town two months ago and, last night, Barnsley’s general manager Don Rowing confirmed that he was in the frame.

“If Danny wants to be considered for the job we will certainly be speaking to him,” said Rowing. “We clearly don’t need to advertise the job as people in the game know it is there. We have already had well over a dozen applications.

“We need to look for someone with new ideas but, most importantly, it will be someone with the work ethic to push this club forward by coaching players and working with our Academy.”

Wilson originally joined Barnsley as a player in 1993, linking up with his former Wednesday team-mate Viv Anderson who had been appointed manager following the departure of Mel Machin.

When Anderson quit to join Middlesbrough, Wilson stepped into the breach and led the club to the top flight within three years.

Unable to bridge the gap in the top flight, he was lured back to Sheffield Wednesday but bought badly and the Owls were relegated at the end of his second season in charge.

Since being sacked by the Owls, Wilson has managed four clubs – Bristol City, Milton Keynes Dons, Hartlepool United and Swindon.

He was sacked after relegation with MK Dons but survived the axe after taking Hartlepool down and duly won promotion the following season.

At Swindon, he was only 90 minutes away from winning promotion to the Championship but lost to Millwall in the League One play-off final at Wembley.

He resigned in March with the club heading towards relegation to League Two.

Rowing, who will play a key role in advising Barnsley’s owner Patrick Cryne, has indicated that the club are seeking to appoint a new manager as quickly as possible.

“We would have liked Mark to stay and have a go next season,” said Rowing. ”We were not shocked by his decision but we were sorry and disappointed. We are also grateful that the events of last week will not be prolonged.”

The first signs of an imminent split had emerged when Barnsley informed Robins in writing that his existing contract was not going to be renewed at the end of next season.

A new deal was never ruled out but Robins was not prepared to accept the loss of job security.

Knowing that his wage budget was going to be reduced heavily next season, Robins possibly sensed that it would be even tougher to stay in the Championship. By going now, his star has not fallen; a relegation. however, could have blotted his CV.

Others who may now be interested in the Barnsley job are former Blackburn Rovers manager Paul Ince, Chesterfield manager John Sheridan, and Karl Robinson, the manager of Milton Keynes Dons.

Robins announced his departure in a statement via the League Managers’ Association on Sunday night, saying: “I am disappointed that I will no longer have the opportunity to continue the club’s progress next season.

“Since taking charge of the club, I am proud to have guided Barnsley from the foot of the Championship to safety last season and improve on the league position as well as points total this campaign, all on a limited budget.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time here and I would like to offer my sincere thanks to all the players, my staff who worked so hard to try and bring success on the field and especially the supporters. I wish them and the club every success for the future.”

The former Manchester United striker was immediately installed as one of the favourites for the vacant manager’s job at Sheffield United but there has been no word from the Blades to back up this view.

The Blades sacked manager Micky Adams last week and have now started the process of speaking to prospective candidates.

Former West Bromwich Albion manager Roberto Di Matteo wants the job and Blades chairman Kevin McCabe is also talking to Craig Short, who has experience of management with Notts County and Hungarian side Ferencvaros.

Doncaster Rovers manager Sean O’Driscoll is another likely contender after coming so close to getting the job in December prior to the appointment of Adams.

McCabe, however, appeared to rule out Academy director John Pemberton last week when stressing the importance of his existing role at the club.

Pemberton will be in charge of the club’s youth team tonight as they take on Manchester United at Bramall Lane in the first leg of the FA Youth Cup final watched by 30,000 supporters.

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