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Barnsley have parted company with manager Neill Collins just 11 days before the League One play-offs get underway.

The Tykes currently sit fifth in the table, but are in serious danger of dropping out of the top six following a bad run of form.

Collins has left the club after Barnsley's 3-2 loss to promotion rivals Blackpool on Saturday
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Collins has left the club after Barnsley's 3-2 loss to promotion rivals Blackpool on SaturdayCredit: 2023 CameraSport

The former Premier League side have lost four of their six league fixtures this month, only beating relegation candidates Burton 3-1 in that time. They also lost 5-1 at home to Lincoln just prior to that run.

That's despite them previously being in touching distance of the automatic promotion places.

The club's statement, released on Monday afternoon, read: "Barnsley Football Club can confirm the departure of Head Coach Neill Collins.

"Collins was appointed last summer and despite several positive spells throughout the season, recent results have left the board of directors feeling that a change is needed.

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Director of Football Mladen Sormaz said: “Neill has been extremely professional throughout the period with which I have worked with him, he has done everything he can do to push the team in the direction we all want Barnsley to go.

"He has conducted himself with professionalism and commitment throughout the period I have worked with him. However, with a crucial season conclusion ahead of us, we feel that now is the right time to make a change.

"We thank the fans for their continued support and urge you all to back the team this Saturday against Northampton. We will update supporters in the coming days.

"We would like to thank Neill for his efforts during his time at the club. Martin Devaney will step up in the interim period."

Collins sealed a 7-0 win over Port Vale on the opening day, but his side's form took a huge dip this month
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Collins sealed a 7-0 win over Port Vale on the opening day, but his side's form took a huge dip this monthCredit: 2024 CameraSport

Collins joined Barnsley at the beginning of the season, signing on a two-year deal.

The Tykes will need to seal victory against Northampton at Oakwell on Saturday to still be in with a chance of winning promotion back to the Championship at the second time of asking.

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Otherwise, Lincoln, who occupy the final play-off spot in sixth, and seventh-placed Oxford and eighth-placed Blackpool could overtake them this weekend.

The Tykes have sat in the play-off spots for a majority of the campaign, and have appeared to throw the final roll of the dice by sacking Collins in their attempt to keep their chances of promotion alive.

Should they make the play-offs and get to the final, they will have done so for the second year in a row.

Last season, Barnsley just missed out on promotion to local rivals Sheffield Wednesday, who snatched a 1-0 victory in extra time at Wembley.

This season's first semi-final clash will take place on Friday May 3.

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