DOMINIK THALHAMMER has been denied a work permit to become the new Barnsley manager.
The Austrian had looked set to become the new Tykes boss ahead of their League One play-off campaign.
However, his appointment has now been cancelled just days before they face Bolton at Oakwell.
That is despite Thalhammer already signing a contract with the club, he has revealed.
Thalhammer told Austrian outlet Kurier: "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.
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"That's disappointing because it would have been an exciting project that would have interested me very much. The contracts were signed."
The 53-year-old has been out of work for almost a year after leaving Belgian side KV Oostende in June 2023.
He had been singled out as the man to replace Neill Collins for the play-offs, though.
Collins was sacked last month despite Barnsley sitting in the play-off places in League One.
His exit came after a run of four defeats in five matches and just one win in eight during the run-in.
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Caretaker boss Martin Devaney went on to secure a sixth place finish to prolong the club's season.
Devaney is now set to be in the dugout for Friday's first leg at Oakwell against Bolton.
The two sides will then meet again for the second leg on Tuesday for a place in the final at Wembley Stadium.
Barnsley are looking to return to the Championship for the first time since relegation in 2022.
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They were beaten finalists in last year's play-offs, having knocked out Bolton in the semi-finals before losing to Sheffield Wednesday.