Barnsley Football Club are pleased to announce the appointment of Paul Harsley as the Club’s new Senior Professional Development Coach.
Harsley’s role will involve taking charge of coaching the Reds under 23s side on a daily basis, developing players with the clear objective to progress them into Paul Heckingbottom’s first team squad.
After a long playing career which saw him make 500 first team appearances in the Football League, he has enjoyed a very successful start to his coaching career.
He will also have some familiar faces around him as he settles into this new role at Oakwell. Harsley has enjoyed a close longstanding relationship with Head Coach Paul Heckingbottom, having known each other on and off the field for many years.
Speaking exclusively tobarnsleyfc.co.uk, Harsley gave the fans an insight into his role at the Club and what his expectations are.
“I will be leading the under 23s team to progress them and to give them a bit of stability as they’ve had a few different coaches over the previous few months. As well as stability I’ll be looking to push players on into the first team in the future.
“I’ll have a bit of freedom, whilst workings within the philosophy of the Club to make a link up to the first team by matching the style of play that the Gaffer wants.
“I started coaching when I was at Scunthorpe United, I had three or four years there full time before moving to Birmingham to coach their under 18s. I had a season there, and now I am here!
“I knew a few of the people here, especially Paul Heckingbottom. When you’ve been in football for quite a few years people cross paths, so at most Club’s there will be people you know. As long as you keep in touch, you’ll always know someone to help you settle in.”
October at the Oakwell training ground, kick off 1.00pm.stThe next under 23s home fixture is against Huddersfield Town on Friday 21
