Paul Heckingbottom is making a strong case to land the Barnsley head coach's job on a full-time basis and that will be strengthened by a Wembley win, chief executive Ben Mansford has suggested.
Royston man Heckingbottom has picked up 23 points from 11 League One games as caretaker since Lee Johnson left for Bristol City having secured the Reds a place in Sunday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Oxford United. Heckingbottom has previously said he is happy for his role to be unconfirmed.
"Paul is doing very well and putting himself in the frame for the full-time job," Mansford told the Chronicle.
"He has taken to the role really well. He has been well-supported by Tommy Wright (assistant) and John Vaughan (goalkeeper coach) who are two really experienced football professionals.
"Everything the staff and players gave to Lee they are giving to Paul and that is what we wanted. He has put his own stamp on the team and made a few tweaks and, I am sure, if Paul is the man to lead us forward in the long-term he will continue to do that.
"We wanted Paul to have time to get to know the role without any timeframe so the clock wasn't ticking for him.
"We're not going to be making any further comment on the long-term head coach role at the moment. We just hope Paul and the players can deliver us the first cup final win since the 1912 FA Cup and then get as many of the 21 remaining league points as possible.
"Paul has an opportunity to achieve something really special this season and then we will see where we are in May."
