Barnsley Caretaker Head Coach Paul Heckingbottom has been named the Sky Bet League 1 Manager of the Month for March.
Heckingbottom has been instrumental in Barnsley’s pursuit of a Play-Off place.
The Reds picked up 13 points from six games with the help of four clean sheets.
Heckingbottom said: "It’s great to win but great for the team to win it. The form’s been good and we’ve managed to sustain it all year in 2016. To win is a credit to the players and coaching staff, and the work we’ve been putting in to maintain a good run of form.
“We’ve been in the mix in terms of form and top of the form table. We’ve had lots of players missing and players dipping in and out of the team for different reasons, so it’s been a real squad effort.”
George Burley chairs the Sky Bet Manager of the Month judging panel.
He said: “Paul has had a very busy month with Barnsley playing six games and, with the help of four clean sheets, they have collected 13 points.
“The form they have shown in the last couple of months has given them a great chance of a Play-Off position.
Sky Sports’ Football League pundit Don Goodman said: “Lee Johnson’s departure could have destabilised Barnsley’s season, but whilst Johnson has gone on to stabilise Bristol City, Barnsley have actually forced their way further up the league under Heckingbottom.
“The dramatic win in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy was just reward for the good work that Heckingbottom has put in at the start of his tenure as manager.”
Sky Bet Football Trading Manager Paul Lowery said: “Losing your manager to a team in a higher league can be a disruptive force to some teams, but it’s clear that familiarity for the Barnsley players with new man in charge Heckingbottom has been a big boost.
“He has stepped into the job from a coaching role and made a huge impression, amassing 13 points during a hectic schedule in March and topping it off with a win at Wembley heading into April.
“With Heckingbottom’s side just outside the Play-Off places at the moment they can be backed at 6/1 with Sky Bet to go back to Wembley and be promoted via a Play-Off to cap off a memorable season.”
