Barnsley Chief Executive Dane Murphy says he is confident that manager Gerhard Struber will still be at the club next season, regardless of what division they are playing in.

Struber was appointed Barnsley manager back in November with the club bottom of the Championship after winning just one of their first 16 league games of the season.

Since Struber's appointment, the Tykes have won seven and drawn four of their 20 league games, to give themselves a fighting chance of survival this season.

The club are now 23rd in the Championship table, five points adrift of safety with ten games of the season remaining, although it seems Struber's future at Barnsley does not depend on whether or not he is able to keep his side in the second-tier this season.

Speaking about whether or not those in charge at the club want Struber to be at Oakwell next season on the BBC Yorkshire Football Heaven Podcast, Murphy said: “We want him to be. It’s clear that since Gerhard came in that there’s been a shift.

“Since he’s come in we’re in 11th or 12th in the standings in points gained, he’s had a change on the eco-system and the environment very much in a positive direction and we have him on a multi-year contract as well."

Indeed, it seems that is something Murphy is confident will happen, as he added: “Regardless of whether we’re in the Championship or League One, we expect him to stay with the club.”

Next up for Struber and his side on the pitch is the visit of play-off dark horses Cardiff City to Oakwell on Saturday afternoon.

The Verdict

You certainly feel it will be a boost for Barnsley if they are able to keep Struber at the club.

When you look at the results he has produced since his arrival at Oakwell, it does feel as though he could have had them comfortably in mid-table this season, had he been in charge since the start of the campaign.

Indeed, it could also be argued that the longer Struber is at Barnsley, the more he will be able to familiarise and adapt to this new challenge in England - this being the first time he has managed outside his native Austria - suggesting there is room for yet more improvement at the club under his leadership.

As a result, it could be suggested that Murphy's confidence about keeping Struber at Barnsley beyond the end of this season mean there is scope for optimism around the club, even if their battle against relegation is ultimately unsuccessful.