Opinion was split among Barnsley fans when Clarke was appointed on a two-year deal in 2024. The former Cheltenham Town boss, whose deal at Oakwell includes the option for a 12-month extension to be triggered, has promotion as the goal after last season's play-off semi-final loss.
Clarke has tended to be given time by his clubs, with three years at Salisbury City at the start of his coaching career followed by a successful spell with Bristol Rovers between 2014 and 2018.
He lasted two years at both Walsall and Port Vale - taking a long leave of absence at the latter side due to the death of his daughter Ellie - but was at Cheltenham for less than one full season.
Clarke's first league game in charge saw Barnsley slip to a 2-1 defeat at home to Mansfield Town but he picked up his first three points shortly afterwards with victory on the road at Lincoln.
Indeed, Barnsley won three of his opening five matches in the league, but a run of one win from their next five saw Clarke's side start to slip down the table into the middle ranks. They also suffered a heavy 7-0 loss to Premier League giants Manchester United in the League Cup.
Those poor results mean that Clarke could be shown the door sooner rather than later, so who are some of the names that could be in the frame for the next Barnsley manager betting odds?
Before confirmation that Clarke would be taking over, Wellens was right at the top of the next Barnsley manager betting odds and he could well be in the running the next time the job is up.
Wellens has been in charge of Leyton Orient since 2022, taking the team to a promotion from League Two and establishing them in the level above to draw approving glances from others.
The former Blackpool and Leicester City midfielder is regarded as one of the better managers in League One and will surely be of interest to Barnsley when they need to make an appointment.
One of the most experienced managers in the Football League, Clough has been at Mansfield Town for a few years now and he might be ready to take on a fresh challenge at another club.
The son of iconic manager Brian, Nigel has taken Mansfield from the bottom end of League Two towards the top of League One, so he might believe his project at the club has some way to go.
Clough would certainly be an eye-catching appointment, with the Englishman having led some big clubs like Derby County and Sheffield United during his solid managerial career to date.
A former Celtic and Scotland defender, Caldwell has spent a couple of years with Exeter City but he would likely see a move to Barnsley as an step up despite fine work with the Grecians.
Even though Exeter have one of the smallest budgets in the third tier, Caldwell has them competing with rich clubs like Birmingham City and Wrexham towards the top of the table.
Like Clough, Cook is an experienced manager who has seen it all in the Football League. The Scouser returned to Chesterfield for a second spell in charge in 2022, seven years after he had left the club. His first period at the club culminated in reaching the League One play-offs.
Cook led Chesterfield back to the Football League and with two other promotions on his CV from time at Portsmouth and Wigan Athletic he would surely be a popular choice with the fans.
Doncaster Rovers boss McCann deserves a shot at a higher level again having won the League One title with Hull City earlier on in his coaching career. McCann, who is now in his second spell at Doncaster, has turned the team's fortunes around.
Rovers were struggling right at the bottom of League Two when his return to the club was made but he has steered them into promotion contention, having previously reached the League One play-offs with the South Yorkshire side.
Manager | Start Date | End Date |
---|---|---|
Darrell Clarke | May 23, 2024 | Present |
Neill Collins | July 6, 2023 | April 22, 2024 |
Michael Duff | June 15, 2022 | June 30, 2023 |
Martin Devaney | April 25, 2022 | June 14, 2022 |
Poya Asbaghi | November 17, 2021 | April 24, 2022 |
Joseph Laumann | November 1, 2021 | November 17, 2021 |
Markus Schopp | June 29, 2021 | November 1, 2021 |
Valérien Ismaël | October 25, 2020 | June 29, 2021 |
Gerhard Struber | November 20, 2019 | October 5, 2020 |
Daniel Stendel | June 6, 2018 | October 8, 2019 |
José Morais | February 16, 2018 | May 6, 2018 |
Paul Heckingbottom | February 6, 2016 | February 5, 2018 |
Lee Johnson | February 25, 2015 | February 6, 2016 |
Danny Wilson | December 17, 2013 | February 12, 2015 |
Keith Hill | June 1, 2011 | December 29, 2012 |
Mark Robins | September 9, 2009 | June 30, 2011 |
Simon Davey | November 22, 2006 | September 29, 2009 |
Andy Ritchie | March 4, 2005 | November 21, 2006 |
Paul Hart | March 4, 2004 | March 4, 2005 |
Gudjón Thórdarson | June 30, 2003 | March 4, 2004 |
Glyn Hodges | October 15, 2002 | June 30, 2003 |
Steve Parkin | November 9, 2001 | October 15, 2002 |
Nigel Spackman | January 8, 2001 | October 25, 2001 |
Dave Bassett | May 27, 1999 | December 19, 2000 |
John Hendrie | July 1, 1998 | April 19, 1999 |
Danny Wilson | June 2, 1994 | July 5, 1998 |
Viv Anderson | June 3, 1993 | June 2, 1994 |
Mel Machin | December 1, 1989 | May 5, 1993 |
Allan Clarke | July 1, 1985 | November 8, 1989 |
Bobby Collins | February 8, 1984 | June 25, 1985 |
Norman Hunter | October 1, 1980 | February 8, 1984 |
Allan Clarke | June 1, 1978 | October 1, 1980 |
Jim Iley | April 1, 1973 | April 14, 1978 |
Johnny Steele | March 1, 1960 | September 1, 1971 |
Tim Ward | March 1, 1953 | February 28, 1960 |
Angus Seed | February 1, 1937 | February 28, 1953 |
Brough Fletcher | May 1, 1930 | February 1, 1937 |
Arthur Fairclough | May 1, 1928 | May 1, 1930 |
John Commins | August 1, 1926 | May 1, 1928 |
Peter Sant | April 1, 1919 | May 31, 1926 |
Percy Lewis | April 1, 1914 | April 1, 1919 |
John Hastie | August 1, 1912 | April 1, 1914 |
Arthur Fairclough | May 31, 1904 | May 31, 1912 |
John McCartney | April 1, 1901 | May 31, 1904 |
Arthur Fairclough | May 31, 1898 | April 1, 1901 |