Barnsley reappoint Stendel as head coach
Daniel Stendel began his coaching career in 2007 with Hanover 96, the club for which he previously played as a forward
- Published
Barnsley have reappointed Daniel Stendel as their head coach on a two-year contract.
The 52-year-old German has succeeded Conor Hourihane, who stepped down at the end of the season after the Tykes finished 15th in League One.
Stendel led Barnsley to promotion from the third tier in 2019 with a club-record 91 points, but was sacked in October of that year after a poor start to the following season.
He subsequently had spells in charge of Hearts and French club Nancy before returning to Germany to become boss of Hanover 96's second team.
"Daniel's return is about results on the pitch and identity," chairman Neerav Parekh told the club website., external
"During his first spell, the club stood for high-intensity football, belief in young players and a team that supporters could fully connect with.
"That season produced outstanding performances, an unbeaten home league campaign and a group of young players who grew together and went on to reach the highest levels of the game.
"We want to re-establish that same connection between the fans, the town and the football club - a Barnsley side that plays with energy, bravery and pride."
Stendel's contract at Oakwell contains an option for a third year.
"This is a place that means a great deal to me and I'm really looking forward to reconnecting with old friends, while also getting to know new faces around the club and in the town," he said.
"I can't wait to get back to work and start this next chapter together."
Barnsley were relegated from the Championship in 2022 and reached the League One play-offs in each of the following two seasons, losing the 2023 final at Wembley to Sheffield Wednesday.
Former captain Hourihane took over as manager in March 2025 but never had them in contention to compete for a top-six spot in 2025-26 and the club confirmed he would be leaving at the end of the season when there were four games to play.
Excitement at Stendel return comes with caveats - analysis
Finally, Daniel Stendel is back in Barnsley.
The popular German's name was in the frame in each of the last two years before Darrell Clarke and then Hourihane were appointed at Oakwell.
It didn't happen, for various reasons, but after a lengthy period of discussions over recent weeks involving Barnsley, Stendel, and his current employers Hannover 96, terms have finally been agreed.
It's unsurprising the Reds have turned once again to the man who masterminded their automatic promotion to the Championship in 2018-19 - in the first season outside his homeland, as either a player or a coach - before the step up to the second tier became a step too far.
It was exciting, it was rock and roll football, it was built on youth and high pressing with a strong, defensive base.
It's what the club's hierarchy want back after seeing five straight years of decline from the Championship play-offs in 2021 to 15th in League One this season, with apathy growing while attendances fall.
But while there is undoubted excitement among the Barnsley fanbase about Stendel's return, given the positive relationship they enjoyed previously, that excitement comes with caveats, principally around the backing the German will receive in his bid for repeated success.
The Reds squad has gradually got weaker over the past few years, with a succession of head coaches asked to deliver results under tightening budgets, as the club seek to operate in a more sustainable way.
And Stendel is not walking into a newly relegated Championship side this time, with quality and potential at more of a premium than in 2018.
The Reds do have exciting young talent in midfield, notably Patrick Kelly and Reyes Cleary, but the defence was a shambles in 2025-26 - only bottom side Northampton conceded more - and the club don't have a contracted senior striker, with 18-goal top scorer David McGoldrick in demand at the end of his one-year deal.
Barnsley are a club in desperate need of hope, energy and togetherness, both on and off the pitch.
First time round, Daniel Stendel was known for enjoying a beer or two with the Reds fans. If he brings success back to the club, he'll probably never have to buy a pint in the town again.
