Barnsley assistant head coach Andreas Winkler has left the Reds to join Premier League side Huddersfield Town.

The Terriers contacted the Reds on Wednesday seeking permission to speak to Winkler, who has now left to join Jan Siewert’s coaching staff.

They’ve worked together before

Winkler worked with Jan Siewert during the new Terriers head coach’s time in charge of Rot-Weiss Essen between 2015-16. The duo did their coaching qualifications together in Germany.

Winkler will now join up with Town’s squad, who are flying to Portugal for some warm weather training ahead of Tuesday’s home clash with Everton.

Winkler had been at Oakwell since Daniel Stendel took charge of the League One club in June. The pair led the club to 5th in the League One table, winning 19 of their 35 games in charge.

Head Coach Daniel Stendel revealed he was disappointed to see Winkler go, but conceded the opportunity was hard to turn down.

Stendel said:

“Andy and Jan worked together at Essen and he told me about this offer and I said: ‘ok’
“I said I wanted him to stay, but from the outside, this is a big chance for him to work in the Premier League. 
“I am disappointed he left and I think we worked very well in the first seven months together. But it is the way in football. Players leave and this time, Andreas has left the club.”

On Winkler’s departure, Barnsley chief executive officer Gauthier Ganaye added:

“We’re disappointed to see Andreas Winkler leave the club because he was a strong member of staff.
“Obviously, when a Premier League team comes in for you it is attractive and we couldn’t deny Andreas this opportunity in his career, with him also having a buy-out clause in his contract.
“We have had a couple of days to work on a replacement and it will be up to Daniel to decide who he wants to take the role now.”

What now for Barnsley? 

Barnsley academy coach and former player Dale Tonge will temporarily step up and assist head coach Daniel Stendel.

Stendel confirmed that he has a target in mind in his native Germany to come in as a permanent replacement for Winkler. He will be assisted by Tonge before the situation is reassessed.

He said:

“I think we have found a good solution with Dale in the coming days. We spoke a long time about what I expect from him. I think he is a good option for us and the team. I am happy he is involved with our team.
“Maybe we sign another coach, but Dale will support us. I will think about a coach from Germany, but at the moment I am happy with Dale.”

Tonge has been coaching at the club since 2014, having previously played for his hometown club between 2003-2007. He won promotion from League One with the Reds in 2006.

‘Tongey’ as he is affectionately known at the club, is proud to be joining the first-team set-up.

He said:

“I’m delighted that the Gaffer has asked me to step up. I was in contact with Daniel and the other staff since their arrival, but now I’ll be working day-in-day-out with him and the rest of the staff.
“Things are clearly going well, so I need to learn quickly what the Gaffer wants from me and help to assist in every way I can. There are three quick games coming up and they are all vital for our chances of promotion.
“Even though I have been in the academy for a few years, I obviously watch the first team every week and I am as passionate as anyone about us getting back to the Championship. I’ll do everything I can to help with that.”

The Reds host Keith Hill’s Rochdale at Oakwell on Saturday.

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