VALERIEN Ismael has left his role as head coach at Barnsley.
Ismael, who was appointed in October of last year on a contract that would’ve taken him to 2023, is set to lead West Bromwich Albion on their return to the Championship following a 19th-place finish in the Premier League.
The 45-year-old Frenchman took the Reds to the second tier play-offs for the first time in more than two decades, with a fifth-place finish and 78 points – their fourth-highest tally ever.
He won 25 of his 44 games at the helm while Barnsley’s strong season ended in defeat to Swansea City in the Championship play-off semi-final.
West Brom were one of several clubs linked with Ismael, including manager-less Crystal Palace who he once played for.
A compensation fee widely reported to be £2m was said to have been agreed between West Brom and Barnsley over the weekend ahead of Ismael’s move to the Hawthorns.
It’s understood terms were mostly agreed on Tuesday (June 22).
Barnsley’s players are due back in training next week. They face Cardiff City on August 7.
