BREAKING: Neill Collins speaks out following Oakwell’s termination.

Speaking about Collins, who was only announced as Michael Duff’s replacement in July 2023, he recently made a statement reflecting on his tenure as the South Yorkshire team’s manager.

A statement made by Collins on the League Managers’ Association website read, “It was a great honour to be appointed Head Coach at Barnsley FC just under a year ago.”

“I did not make the decision to leave a club that had grown so dear to me and to bring my family back to the UK after seven amazing years in the USA lightly. But I couldn’t pass up the chance to advance my coaching career at a team with such a rich history and tradition,” he continued.

“I am incredibly proud of the work the players and staff put in this season, and I believe we earned the opportunity to try and complete our goal of promotion together. However, I cannot express how disappointed I was to have been relieved of my duties with one game remaining and the club sitting fifth in the table. I want to thank the staff and players for all of their efforts and encouragement while I was a member of the team.

“I put my heart and soul into the job from the minute I arrived and learned a lot from my time at Barnsley,” the Scot said in closing. I’m excited to prepare and spend some time with my family.