DERRY City boss Ruaidhrí Higgins is a leading contender to take over the Barnsley hotseat.
The Tykes, who narrowly lost to Shefffield Wednesday in the League One play-off final at Wembley in May, have been searching for a new manager after former Northern Ireland international Michael Duff departed for Swansea City.
It’s believed that Higgins held talks with the Yorkshire club on a number of occasions over the weekend, after they got the go ahead from the Brandywell club to open discussions.
The 38-year-old replaced Declan Devine as Derry boss in April 2021, his first role as a senior manager, and has secured back-to-back European qualifications, as well as leading the club to FAI Cup glory – for the first time in a decade – when they hammered Damien Duff’s Shelbourne 4-0 in last November’s Aviva Stadium final.
The Limavady man flew to the Faroe Islands with assistant boss Paddy McLaughlin and director Sean Barrrett over the weekend to watch Derry’s Europa Conference League opponents HB Torshavn.
During his few days in the Faroe Islands it’s thought the Oakwell men had a number of discussions with Higgins.
The timing of his possible departure couldn’t have come at a worse time and would be a big blow for the Foylesiders’ title charge.
Derry, who sit in third place in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division six points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers, host Sligo Rovers on Friday night, then travel to Torshavn next Wednesday as they begin their European campaign, before starting their defence of the FAI Cup with a home encounter against Athlone Town later this month.
Higgins (below), who celebrated his 100th game in charge at Shelbourne on Friday evening, was linked to Notts County last year but a move never materialised.
It’s thought the hierarchy at Barnsley, like the powers that be at Notts County, like Higgins’ possession-based style of football and why he’s believed to be a front runner for the vacant role at Oakwell.
Derry are expected to strengthen their squad with Scottish striker Daniel Mullen joining the club in the coming days.
