Neill Collins, 46, is considering a surprise managerial move. He stated, “It was a tremendous honor to be chosen Head Coach at Barnsley FC little under a year ago. Bringing my family back to the UK after seven amazing years in the United States, as well as leaving a club that had become near to my heart, was not an easy decision. However, the opportunity to advance my coaching career at a club with such a rich history and culture was one I could not refuse.
“I cannot express how disappointed I was to be relieved of my duties with one game remaining in the season and the club sitting fifth in the table; however, I am extremely proud of the work the players and staff put in this season, and I believe we earned the opportunity to work together to achieve our goal of promotion. I’d want to thank the players and staff for their hard work and support throughout my stay at the club.
“I threw my heart and everything into the job from the day I arrived and learnt so much throughout my time at Barnsley. I’m looking forward to spending time with my family and preparing for the next challenge, whatever that may be.”
According to reports, Duff might return to Oakwell after leaving for Swansea City last summer.
Barnsley are seeking a reunion with former manager Michael Duff.
Duff guided the team to the League One play-off final in 2022/23, when they were beaten by Sheffield Wednesday.
Duff left Barnsley for Swansea City last summer, but the Welsh club fired him after just a few months.
Barnsley might make a surprise bid for former manager Michael Duff after their play-off loss, despite the 46-year-old leaving the club only last summer.
The Yorkshire club was defeated in the League One playoffs for the second season in a row this week, falling to Bolton Wanderers by a thrilling 5-4 aggregate score.
This was despite shining in the second match at the Toughsheet Community Stadium, where they won 3-2.
Unfortunately for Barnsley, the damage that would see them eliminated had already been done in the first leg, when Bolton won 3-1 at Oakwell.
Barnsley related to Michael Duff reunion.
Alan Nixon reports on Patreon on a possible reunion between Duff and Barnsley.
According to Nixon, the Tykes are mulling a comeback for their former manager, who departed last summer to join Championship club Swansea City.
Of course, Duff’s tenure at Swansea did not go as planned, with the 46-year-old fired by the Welsh club in December.
Since then, Duff has been without a club, and Nixon says he is willing to return to Oakwell to work with assistant Martin Devaney.
Barnsley’s problems this season are a continuation of the Tykes’ anguish in the 2022/23 season, when they lost the playoff final to Sheffield Wednesday thanks to a late Josh Windass strike.
They have been unable to discover the correct recipe to return to the Championship at the second attempt, thus they will spend the 2024/25 season scrapping for a promotion spot.
Barnsley appeared to be on track to return to the second level after signing manager Neil Collins in July 2023 and bringing in numerous excellent players last summer, including John McAtee. Collins was fired in April 2024 after a succession of poor defeats against Cambridge United, Charlton Athletic, and Stevenage.
Following Collins’ sacking, caretaker manager Martin Devaney is keeping the ship afloat until the club announces a permanent successor.
A return to form in League One is feasible under Duff.
