Lose ’n Schopp may be shut at Tykes

Championship, Kick-off 12.30pm

MARKUS SCHOPP faces the axe at Barnsley if they lose today’s south Yorkshire derby with Sheffield United.

The 47-year-old Austrian’s tenure has been disastrous so far with the Tykes winning just once in 13 Championship games.

Barnsley finished fifth under Valerien Ismael last term but their dramatic decline has set the alarm bells ringing inside Oakwell and other managerial options are being explored.

And defeat against a Blades side, who have won only four times this term, could spell the end for Schopp (above).

On Friday, chief executive Khaled El-ahmad said: “As we speak today, Markus is the manager and has the full support of the club.

“But every game continues to be reviewed – football is pressure whether you are top or bottom of the league.

“As a CEO of a club, I think you have to step away from all the noise, pressure and emotions and try not to look at the short-term solution, but the long-term solution.

“I don’t think anyone is happy – the players, the board, manager, the fans and the journalists.”

Barnsley have lost their last five games and have the lowest win percentage in the Championship.

Problems are mounting for the Tykes with fans having also been angered by the closure of the historic West Stand due to safety concerns.

Yet Schopp insisted: “I still believe we will turn it around – I am convinced.

“It’s really, really hard but I know how we have to solve certain problems.

“It is hurting me, obviously. I wanted to win every training session as a player and I’m the same as manager.

“But you have to respect it will not always go this way. To get out of such a difficult situation is the biggest goal.”