Next Barnsley Manager Odds: Martin Devaney, Daniel Stendel, Neil Warnock early contenders

Barnsley are searching for their fourth head coach in a year following the departure of Poya Asbaghi after the club exercised a clause in his contract.

The decision comes after the club’s relegation to League One was confirmed following a 2-1 defeat to Yorkshire rivals Huddersfield.

Former Sweden U21s coach Asbaghi, who replaced Markus Schopp in November, was only able to win five of his 27 matches in all competitions.

“I want to thank everybody at Oakwell for their time and efforts over the last months, this of course includes players, fans and staff,” he said after his exit was confirmed on Sunday. “It’s been a real privilege to work in Barnsley and I wish everybody all the very best for the upcoming seasons.”

Barnsley will be overseen by caretaker Martin Devaney for their remaining three games of the season against Blackpool, Preston, and West Brom.

“Our search for a new coach has already started and an announcement will follow once that process is concluded,” CEO Khaled El-Ahmad said in the statement as Barnsley look for a new manager who can orchestrate a promotion push back into the Championship, as Daniel Stendel successfully did in 2018/19 - more on him in a moment.

It will be interesting to see what managerial route Barnsley now venture down.

The club’s last six permanent appointments have all been difficult-to-predict European managers in José Morais, Daniel Stendel, Gerhard Struber, Valérien Ismaël, Markus Schopp, and Poya Asbaghi with mixed success rates.

The Reds could look to repeat the feat this summer, so make sure you keep checking the Next Barnsley Manager Odds for new faces!

It’s perhaps no surprise to see Stendel feature amongst the early betting contenders at 8/1 with BetVictor given his popularity with fans, that fine promotion-winning season, and his current availability.

Since leaving Barnsley towards the start of the 2019/2020 campaign the German has managed in Scotland with Hearts, then endured a winless 10-game stint at the helm of French side Nancy at the start of this season.

Could Barnsley potentially appoint from within? 4/1-priced caretaker Devaney would be the most likely choice if so as he has the chance to stake his claim during the club's remaining three games. U18s coach Tom Harban is a 20/1 shot, alongside Academy Manager Bobby Hassell.

Out of work managers with EFL experience include Jonathan Woodgate (8/1), former Barnsley boss Lee Johnson (12/1), Mick McCarthy (12/1), Paul Lambert (25/1), Roy Keane (25/1), and Sam Ricketts (25/1).

Then there's Neil Warnock.

Recently asked whether he would have taken the Barnsley job after leaving Middlesbrough back in November, the veteran boss said:

"Absolutely, I would have done it. My old club Barnsley? Dead right, I would. I think they'd got some decent players, really. But it is too late now, I think."

The eight-time promotion winner is priced at 16/1 to be tempted out of retirement.

Meanwhile, in-work EFL managers who have caught the eye in recent seasons include Rob Edwards at Forest Green Rovers and Cheltenham’s Michael Duff (5/1). Gareth Ainsworth has been handed odds of just 4/1, although it’s difficult to see him leaving Wycombe whom he’s managed since 2012.

As for talented young coaches waiting for their first opportunity in the EFL, you can find Nathan Rooney at 25/1 in the market. Rooney, who has held various coaching roles at Port Vale, Crawley and Carlisle, has transformed Gibraltar side Brunos Magpies since his appointment; leading the club into the Europa Conference League and a domestic cup final.

Alternatively, we’re still on watch to see where the likes of Michael Carrick (25/1) and John Terry will start their managerial careers, whereas David Unsworth (14/1) is on the hunt for a job after leaving Everton.

You can find the full next manager odds below, while don’t forget to stamp your vote in our POLL.