Adam Murray’s experience as an EFL manager helped him become caretaker boss of Barnsley, stepping up from his dual role as under 18s coach and part of the departed Daniel Stendel’s first team staff.
Murray, who turned 38 last week, was previously manager of League Two Mansfield Town for a 103-game spell which lasted two years. He was brought to Barnsley last season by his friend Bobby Hassell, the academy manager at Oakwell, to coach the under 18s while he also knows first team goalkeeping coach Kevin Pilkington from their time at Mansfield.
He was promoted to first team duties by Daniel Stendel in the summer and has been on the bench for some of the Reds’ games this season. Murray has been working with Stendel’s first team coaches Dale Tonge and Chris Stern.
Murray’s playing career began in the Premier League with first club Derby County, for whom he made 30 top flight appearances. He then mainly played in League Two and in non-league football with Kidderminster, Notts County, Burton Albion, Carlisle United, Torquay United, Maccesfield Town, Oxford United and Luton Town before ending his career with five seasons at Mansfield Town.
Having been made a first team coach at Mansfield, he took over as caretaker manager in November 2014 and earned the job on a full-time basis which made him the youngest manager in the EFL or Premier League at the time, aged 33. He kept the Stags in League Two by two positions in his first season then guided them to 12th in his second which was their highest placing in 14 years.
Murray resigned as Mansfield manager in November 2016, with the club 18th in the table, and with a managerial win percentage of 31 after 32 victories in 103 games. He took over National League North club Boston United the following month but resigned the next October after a run of one win in 13 matches left them in the relegation zone.
He was replaced by Craig Elliott, who left Barnsley club Shaw Lane AFC. After brief spells as assistant of National League side Guiseley and in the Burton Albion academy, he moved to Oakwell.
Alongside joint under 18s manager Tom Harban, he has worked with players such as Jordan Helliwell, who recently received a three-year professional contract, as well as Academy Player of the Year Aiden Marsh who has trained with the first team.
The under 18s had a much better day on Saturday than the first team as they won 2-0 at home to local rivals Leeds United. Marsh and Charlie Winfield netted for the Reds.
The young Reds lost their first two games of the season but are now unbeaten in five with three wins including in their last two matches.
The under 18s are due to visit Hull City tomorrow while the under 23s, who did not play this week, are due to host Birmingham City from 2pm today.
