Barnsley certainly can pick ’em.
Before Valerien Ismael came Gerhard Struber. And before Gerhard Struber came Daniel Stendel.
A trio of coaches hitherto unknown in English football arrived amid more questions than answers in South Yorkshire.
But while Struber and Stendel have already secured their place in Oakwell folklore, Ismael is well placed to continue their good work. Barnsley have won five of their last eight games under the Frenchman.
If it wasn’t for Stendel, however, the Tykes would still be pitting their wits against Bristol Rovers rather than Bournemouth.
Barnsley cruised to promotion during the affable German’s one and only full season at the helm (2018/19), accumulating 91 points in League One.
The furious reaction that greeted his sacking in October 2019, even after a ten-game winless run, shows just how popular Stendel was among Barnsley fans.
Stendel suffered heartbreak at Hearts too, walking away with his head bowed after the Edinburgh giants were controversially relegated from the Scottish Premiership last term.
Sunderland supporters could be forgiven for feeling unconvinced by the potential appointment of a man who suffered relegation just a few months ago, with the Echo reporting Stendel has applied for the vacant managerial role on Wearside.
But the reaction from Barnsley and Hearts supporters speaks volumes about Stendel the man and Stendel the manager:
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