What will Daniel Stendel bring in his second spell?

High press

This is a key principle of Daniel Stendel's style of play. His players need to be fit and able to constantly press opponents for 90 minutes. It's something that Hourihane's style lacked, and I think it will be welcomed back at Oakwell with open arms. It worked very well in 2018/19 when Barnsley were automatically promoted back to Championship at the first time of asking under the German, and with the number of sides in League One willing to play out from the back increasing, it could pay dividends again. Obviously, it has its vulnerabilities if an opponent can play through it, however if the recruitment is right and Barnsley can bring in players that fit into the Stendel system, it could pay off. 

Another benefit of Stendel taking over the reins at Barnsley is that he already knows and understands the fanbase, the club and the town. The Reds head coach made this clear in a recent interview he did with the club, when he stated he knew what type of football the fans wanted to see, and how it aligned very similar to the type of football he plays. I think a problem at the club has been that recent managers have always had questions surrounding them about whether they are experienced enough, whether their football fits in with club and whether they have what it takes to put Barnsley back in the right path. Stendel is an appointment that has limited questions around him as a head coach, and more around whether he will have receive the backing he needs in the transfer market from the ownership, which shows that he is a trusted figure within the fanbase. He earned that respect with his promotion out of League One in 2019, and when he famously shared a farewell drink with fans in at The Garrison pub after his sacking in October 2019. There is no doubt he'll be joined there again if he can navigate The Reds back to the Championship.