Austrian coach Dominik Thalhammer has confirmed that his move to Barnsley last week fell down due to a work permit issue.
Martin Devaney took charge of Barnsley's final league game against Northampton Town last Saturday, following Neill Collins' sacking the previous Monday. Devaney is expected to take charge of Friday evening's play-off first leg at home to Bolton Wanderers.
Reports have claimed that Austrian Thalhammer travelled to the UK last week to take over from Collins immediately but was denied a work permit.
Since the UK left the EU, coaches and players coming to Britain must hit certain criteria to obtain a visa.
The Reds are thought to have believed Thalhammer met the requirements but eventually had to cancel the deal.
German-speaking outlets have quoted him today saying: “The English want to push their own people, so coaches from abroad have to provide 36 months as head coach in the relevant leagues as proof of work.
"This is disappointing because it would have been an exciting project that would have interested me very much. The contracts were signed.”
He confirmed he would not be joining the club and called the situation a 'disaster.'
