HEARTS FANS are in for a real treat if Daniel Stendel is appointed as the Jambos’ new manager.
That is the view of one supporters’ representative at Barnsley, where the German was worshipped during his 16-month spell in charge at Oakwell.
The Tykes faithful famously arranged a leaving party for the 45-year-old after he was sacked last month following a 10-game run without a win.
Footage of Stendel, who led Barnsley to promotion to the Championship last season, downing shots of tequila with fans went viral on social media.
And Paul Gallagher, a board member on the Barnsley FC Supporters Trust, reckons the send-off was just an indication of the massive impact Stendel made at the club.
He said: “In my time supporting Barnsley, there have been very few managers who have been liked almost universally by the entire fanbase.
“That was down to the fantastic way we played football and his enthusiasm for the game, and the way that translated into the players last season in the promotion push.
“He really brought the fans closer to the club as well and pretty much 90 per cent of Barnsley fans were absolutely gutted when he got sacked.
“The fans absolutely loved him, pretty much from day one – or even before day one because before he started he was out watching the World Cup in Barnsley in his Germany shirt, and then supporting England when Germany got knocked out.
“He would be a great appointment for Hearts up there, for sure. I would imagine he would turn things around in no time if he’s got the players who can play his system.”
SEND-OFF
Stendel has held detailed talks with Hearts over becoming successor to Craig Levein and is the bookmakers’ favourite for the job.
It has been said he may prefer another post in English football but if he does end up at Tynecastle and can recreate what he had at Barnsley then there could be some enjoyable days ahead for the Hearts support.
Gallagher added: “I met him on several occasions and he’s a fantastic guy. He’s so enthusiastic about football, his team plays a brilliant style and he’s there kicking every ball on the sidelines.
“All those things together meant he was loved by the support.
“I’ve never heard it before where the fans arrange a send-off for a manager who has been sacked.
“Unfortunately, I was working away, otherwise I would have gone! But some of my friends were there.
“There was real outrage from fans when he was sacked, proper outrage from a huge part of our fanbase.”
