Johnson on verge of taking Tykes job

Photo: MAX FLEGO

LEE Johnson: closing in on a move to Barnsley.

LEE Johnson appears set to be confirmed as the new manager of Barnsley FC.

The 33-year-old manager, who was at Glanford Park last night to watch the Tykes win 1-0 against Scunthorpe, will move to Athletic’s rival following a compensation agreement between the two clubs yesterday.

It is not yet known which of Johnson’s backroom staff will also make the switch to Oakwell — or who will be in charge for Athletic’s important home clash with Preston on Saturday.

Johnson is set to return with his new club to SportsDirect.com Park when Barnsley visit on March 14.

Early contenders for his job are bound to include Darren Ferguson, who recently parted company with Peterborough, ex-Brentford man Uwe Rosler and Athletic’s former boss Iain Dowie.

Confirmation of Johnson’s move is expected soon and will end the speculation of the past week, following our report that Barnsley had made a formal approach.

Athletic’s boardroom members won’t stand in the way of the former Yeovil and Bristol City player, in charge for 103 Athletic games following his surprise arrival two years ago as the youngest manager in the professional game.

His reputation has since grown, both for his relative success with a restricted playing budget and assured authority off it.

One of the lower divisions’ most highly-rated bosses now gets the chance to set Barnsley on course back for the Championship.

Though struggling in the league, the Tykes are in the sort of position that Athletic can’t currently match. Heavily backed financially and the fourth-highest-spending club on wages in the division, the pull of promotion seems to have been enough to persuade Johnson to leave Oldham.

He leaves the club in a position of relative strength, with a squad featuring a number of valuable assets, such as Liam Kelly and Jonathan Forte, and with the chase for a play-off spot not yet over.