'Ambitious' Devaney gets one shot to revive Barnsley

"Ambitious" Martin Devaney is looking no further than Saturday's game against Northampton after being named Barnsley caretaker boss.

The Tykes sacked head coach Neill Collins on Monday after a run of five defeats in seven games that has jeopardised what looked like a certain place in the play-offs.

Former Barnsley winger Devaney has been handed the reins against the Cobblers and a victory would secure their spot in the top six.

Anything less means they could be overhauled by Oxford, Blackpool and Lincoln and miss the chance of returning to the Championship, two years after relegation.

Devaney, normally a coach at the club where he spent six seasons as a player, has been appointed interim head coach for the second time at Oakwell, having stepped up when Poya Asbaghi departed in April 2022 with relegation already confirmed.

Now he needs to arrest a slump in form to keep their season, and hopes of going one better than last season’s play-off final defeat by Sheffield Wednesday, alive.

Devaney said Collins’ departure has been a “shock” but brushed off the notion that stepping in for what could be just one game was out of the ordinary.

“You never know what’s going to happen in football, in these situations, you never know when you’re going to be asked to walk in and guide a team,” he told BBC Radio Sheffield.

“It’s an opportunity at a club that’s so close to my heart. I’ve worked really well with Neill this year and it’s always disappointing to see a friend lose his job, but it’s a decision made by the club, and I’ve been asked to take this really important game.

“There was no hesitation from myself to take it and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Asked if he would like the post on a more permanent basis, the 43-year-old said: “I’m an ambitious person, but my full concentration is on Saturday. I have no thoughts about anything else, my plan is to be fully ready and focussed on Saturday.”

Devaney intends to tweak their tactical approach in a bid to get the Tykes winning again, and added: “My plan is to play more forward football, to play in their half, get more crosses in and be a little bit more direct. Without the ball I expect us to be a high pressing team, and look to play forward as often as we can.

“There’s absolutely no pressure. Go and express yourselves, you’ve played some fantastic football and won some important games so take the shackles off, show everyone how good you’ve been, go and score goals.

“Win that, and you’re two wins away from a massive game at Wembley.”