Having no chief executive is slowing down the process of tying Barnsley's out-of-contract stars down with new deals, admits Paul Heckingbottom.
The Reds have been operating without a chief executive since Linton Brown left more than a month ago. The search for his replacement is ongoing, as are negotiations with players such as Josh Scowen and Marley Watkins whose current contracts are due to expire in the summer.
Head coach Heckingbottom said: "Not having a chief executive does slow the contract process with the players down down a bit. The players know we want to keep them, but I'd like it to be done and dusted.
"The most important thing is to get the right person as chief exec. We need to look at the people who are already at the club and all of their strengths and skillsets. We need to identify the job spec and the qualities we need to bring in.
"Whether the title changes, I don't know. I am clear on what that person's qualities have to be and what needs to change in terms of support for the football side of things."
