Barnsley CEO Kahled El Ahmad says the Reds will do everything they can to keep boss Michael Duff and a number of key players after their last gasp promotion disappointment according to The Yorkshire Post.
The Tykes suffered a devastating late late defeat when Josh Windass headed Sheffield Wednesday into the Championship in the League One Playoff Final.
Now Barnsley’s thoughts must turn to another third tier campaign and key to that will be holding onto impressive manager Duff and several stars.
The former Cheltenham boss has made a huge impact at Oakwell and has been linked with the vacant manager’s job at Yorkshire rivals, Huddersfield Town who were guided to Championship safety by Neil Warnock.
Skipper Mads Andersen has 12 months left on his contract and Barnsley must decide whether to cash in this summer or keep him as they launch another bid to reach the second tier.
Striker James Norwood could also depart when his contract ends next month, but the club hold a one year option to extend.
The League One Wembley showpiece was controversial to say the least, as VAR denied Barnsley what looked like a certain penalty and moments later Adam Phillips saw red after VAR backed referee Tim Robinson’s decision to show the red card after a tackle on Wednesday’s Lee Gregory.
Barnsley’s 10 men battled bravely until Windass stopped to break their hearts three minutes into stoppage time at the end of extra time.
El-Ahmad admitted that some decisions may be beyond the club’s control.
What Was Said?
“Duff has been great and so have the staff’ said El Ahmad. “Certain things we will control and certain things we can’t. We will do our best to keep Michael and also have the best possible team to compete next season.’
The Wembley defeat comes just 12 months after relegation from the Championship and two years after the reds found themselves in the Championship playoffs and El-Hamad reflected on what has been an eventful period for the club.
“It kind of sums up my 19 months at the club,’ he said. “Its the ‘Barnsley way’ – we are probably going to win in a dramatic way or lose in style.
“It was devastating for the fans and players. The effort was amazing. I thought we played good football and was proud from that perspective. But the loss hurts.
“Looking back maybe in a couple of days or months, it’s probably one of my proudest moments at the club. I’ve tried to work on the culture and bringing in Michael Duff was part of that step and he’s supported that narrative we want.’
Writer’s View
It’s not difficult to see why Michael Duff will have potential suitors this summer. Duff led Cheltenham to promotion by winning the League Two title in 2020/21 and was linked with several jobs last summer before landing the Barnsley job.
Duff has carried on his impressive record, securing a play off spot and at one stage were breathing down the necks of the teams in the automatic spots.
Missing out on a return to The Championship means Barnsley missed out on a £7m windfall and Duff may see the Huddersfield vacancy as an ideal opportunity to test himself at a higher level.
