Barnsley sack their manager with club at threat of dropping out of League One playoff places

Barnsley sack their manager with the club at threat of dropping out of League One playoff places going into the final game of the season.

The club have won just twice in their past 11 matches and taken just nine points, putting their playoff place at serious risk as they get to face Northampton Town at Oakwell.

Boss Neill Collins had been criticised however by the club’s fanbase in recent times, being booed off following Saturday’s 3-2 loss at Blackpool.

Neill Collins has departed Oakwell as Head Coach.https://t.co/KvzFEytdHf

— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) April 22, 2024

CLUB STATEMENT

Barnsley Football Club can confirm the departure of Head Coach Neill Collins.

Collins was appointed last summer and despite several positive spells throughout the season, recent results have left the board of directors feeling that a change is needed.

Director of Football Mladen Sormaz said, “Neill has been extremely professional throughout the period with which I have worked with him, he has done everything he can do push the team in the direction we all want Barnsley to go.

“He has conducted himself with professionalism and commitment throughout the period I have worked with him.

“However, with a crucial season conclusion ahead of us, we feel that now is the right time to make a change.

“We thank the fans for their continued support and urge you all to back the team this Saturday against Northampton. We will update supporters in the coming days”.

We would like to thank Neill for his efforts during his time at the Club.

Martin Devaney will step up the interim period.

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Neill Collins said after defeat to Blackpool: “We let ourselves down badly in the first half. Started pretty poorly, they had the momentum and their tails up. We’re struggling to deal with some basic defending.

“Then we kind of weathered that storm and I felt coming in at half-time 1-0 we had the opportunity to regroup.

“Then, like we have done recently, we lose a goal from a set-piece. 2-0 and it makes it really difficult against a team that doesn’t concede an awful lot of goals.

“We have to take on the chin that we weren’t good enough for large parts of the game today.”

On the final day, Barnsley are at home to Northampton, Lincoln host Portsmouth, Oxford are away to Exeter, and Blackpool are away to Reading.

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW BARNSLEY MANAGER:

(BetVictor – 22nd April – 4pm)
Martin Devaney – 2/1
Michael Duff – 4/1
Grant McCann – 6/1
Neil Warnock – 8/1
Gareth Ainsworth – 10/1
Mark Bonner – 12/1
Lee Bowyer – 12/1
Lee Johnson – 12/1
Michael Beale – 16/1
Pete Wild – 16/1
Nigel Pearson – 16/1
Paul Cook – 16/1

This is how fans reacted as Barnsley sack their manager with the club at threat of dropping out of League One playoff places…

@Anthony69111076: Renewing season ticket now ❤️

@Ethan_Matthews7: Surprised he didn’t see the end of the campaign through. Feels more like the board were pressured into it by us fans. Let’s be fair though there’s more wrong here than Collins alone

@clifty04: One game to go, in the Play-Off places, this seems very strange timing. Admittedly, their form is terrible and you’d say there’s a strong chance they could drop out the Play-Offs on the final day but….

@alfie1887: Smells like promotion

@Harrystaxi: Thank Christ for that 🙏👍

@gww0112: Am not saying he was best manager but that’s weird timing unless something kicked off

@Alex_Red_87: FUCKING GETTT INNN

@Andy__Mac: “The club has announced Markus Schopp’s return as interim manager for the remaining game(s)”

@hall_robert: You’d think a plan was in place but our board don’t really do planning . Football has been woeful for the vast majority of his tenure . Let’s see what the intent is , but I fear more of the same unfortunately

@jackbfc1995: While am 100% behind this will it give the players a lift who knows hopefully disco will at least change a few things that clearly haven’t been working. Surprised the boards got the bollocks although it should have been done 3 weeks ago

@JackBFC03: FUCKING GET IN

@Dadders: It’s a hell of a gamble to back a “new manager bump” by sacking your manager with a game to go and being in the Playoffs as Barnsley have done.

@Jake10266: Get innnn

@mnewton134: Julie’s finally had enough of everyone spamming her 😂😂 Any half decent coach can get this lot to win Saturday plenty a decent managers out of work who would be queuing up for a promotion on there CV

@jackfb46: Fuck me wasn’t expecting that so soon I thought they’d give him playoffs but wow big call. Get someone proper in now U REDS

@Silk1491: A dunt know, it’s the right decision but made at the wrong time for me. Should’ve either been weeks ago or Saturday evening.

@OMGitsNATH: The board as massively to blame on this, wasn’t backed with quality in January and it’s shown. But his game management has been awful far too often for a club who shouldn’t be fighting for the play offs on the last day

@_callumfowler: Fucking get in there we’re going up 🥳

@sixpointertom: Am I missing something here? As much as results of late have been worrying, sacking your manager with one game to go when you remain in the playoff spots seems odd to me 🤷‍♂️

@CalcioOUFC: So out of the top 8, 3 have had their managers sacked or just up and left. Or 4 of the top 9 if you want to include Stevenage. That’s just insane

@weststandREDBFC: Thank fuck for that get your arse gone. Best news I’ve heard all day

@BenMBlackwell: With my dad’s positive scan results today, now this, great start to the week. Sad that a man has lost his job, it just wasn’t working out. The football was terrible

@_mikeeeeeeey: Worry with this is it’s a bit of short-term appeasement. NC not root of our problems, we need to take a long look in the mirror at recruitment, identity, long term vision for the club and that needs to be happening right now (if its not already) at board level @JulieAnneQuay

@MattFentonImps: Not surprised at all really – 12 pts in 12 games not acceptable! New coach / removal of Collins could boost the squad ahead of Saturday’s massive game. Barnsley need to win to remain in the Play Offs. #bfc #BarnsleyFC

@GarnerZ_: Could be reading too much into this. But it doesn’t say they’re searching for a manager like it usually does in these statements. Surely that means we’ve already got a replacement lined up?

@tombutcherr: Very big bollocks. Well done all involved 👏🏻👏🏻 winning at Wembley wi disco in charge. What a time to be alive

@GHNeedham: Interesting news. A good time to remember that Paul Heckingbottom, a highly competent manager and lifelong Barnsley fan, lives within walking distance of Oakwell and has had his driving license taken away. @JulieAnneQuay

@lukegoddardact: Collins is just a small part of the deep rooted issues. He’s took the fall but the players, recruitment team, previous back room staff have all played there part in this situation. Praying for the 765th time this means we try and take ourselves seriously again as a football club