Barnsley have confirmed the appointment of Dale Tonge as the club's assistant head coach following the departure of Andreas Winkler in January. 

Winkler left to join Jan Siewert's backroom staff at Huddersfield Town leaving Tykes' boss Daniel Stendel without an assistant at Oakwell.

Tonge had been filling in as Stendel's right-hand man but has now been offered the position on a permanent basis until the end of the season initially.

The 33-year-old graduated through the youth system at Oakwell as a player, going on to play 47 times for the club and helping win promotion to the Championship via the play-offs in 2004.

He left to join local rivals Rotherham United in 2007 where he stayed for six years making over 170 appearances for the Millers and helping them win promotion from League Two in his final season.

Barnsley are currently well in the hunt for an immediate return to the second tier this season, sat in second place in the League One table with 30 matches played.

The verdict 

This seems like a very sensible move.

Stendel has handled Winkler's departure very impressively with virtually no after effects on show in the first team.

Tonge knows the club very well and has a connection with the fans so it is a smart appointment.