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What Barnsley have said about new Swansea City target Michael Duff’s future
Managerial uncertainty has surrounded Swansea City for around a month now.
It was before the end of the Premier League season that Southampton’s interest in making Russell Martin their new boss emerged and here we are now, about to enter the third week of June, with no resolution to the situation.
The head coach’s move to St Mary’s is due to be completed next week and not before time. For the latest Swansea news sent straight to your inbox, sign up here.
The knock-on effect to the dispute over compensation between the two clubs has meant Swansea’s own search to find Martin’s successor has been delayed.
READ MORE: Barnsley boss Michael Duff now firm contender to replace Russell Martin at Swansea City
In recent days Swansea have received news that Chris Davies, the leading contender for the job, is set to join Ange Postecoglou’s new-look coaching team at Tottenham.
Steven Schumacher, the admired Plymouth Argyle manager, is, according to a Pilgrims’ statement released on Friday, “fully committed” to the project at Home Park, with the club set to battle it out in the Championship next season after achieving promotion last term.
Now a new name is in the frame, with WalesOnline understanding Barnsley’s Michael Duff is a firm contender for the position.
Duff took the Tykes to within a game of a return to the second tier last season, losing in heartbreaking last-minute fashion to Sheffield Wednesday at Wembley in the League One play-off final.
Huddersfield Town were initially linked with his services but earlier this month he spoke candidly about his future.
Duff said: “I have not seen any of that, genuinely. My focus has been fully on Barnsley. I will take stock from a personal point of view. I am not thinking of anything other than licking our wounds and going again.
“I’d imagine we’ll lose a couple. It is the model of the football club. It’s players going into the final year of their contract and I am not in control of that.
“But one thing I don’t think we will do is lose five or six of the starting XI which we did last summer. Whatever we do next season, we will be starting on a stronger foothold.
“I am not in control of who goes and doesn’t go and who we bring in. (But) You don’t always have to throw money at it. Luca (Connell) was a free transfer and Adam Phillips was a nominal fee.
“You can find good players and one thing that the staff have done is ensure that the players have got better over the season. That’s the job ultimately, and I think we have improved their mentality and as individuals.”
Duff is one year into a three-year deal at Oakwell, meaning if Swansea were to make an approach to the League One side a compensation fee would need to be agreed.
Earlier this week Reds chief executive Khaled El-Ahmad revealed the situation and endeavoured to offer supporters some assurances.
“He is under contract and he is coaching Barnsley FC.,” he said. “For assurances, he is under contract, just like the players are and we are planning the pre-season. So far, there’s nothing else to report. There’s been none (interest).
“Obviously, I don’t talk about individual contracts in public. All I can say is that we are prepared for all scenarios at all times. In a sense in football, if it happens, it happens. But it’s all heading in the right direction. We are in a good place.”
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