In November 2021, Poya Asbaghi left his position as national team captain for the Swedish U21 national team to take over the Championship team Barnsley FC. He brought with him his former assistant coach from the time in IFK Gothenburg, Ferran Sibila.
The team was already bad at the bottom of the table, but it was only on Friday that it became clear that the team will be relegated and play in the English third division, League One, next season.
Whether Asbaghi would continue to coach the club thereafter was unclear. He told the local newspaper The Yorkshire Post shortly after the relocation that no decision had been made, but that everyone in the club would reflect on what had happened.
But on Sunday morning, the news came – Asbaghi and Sibila are leaving Barnsley mutually.
– I want to thank everyone at Oakwell (the arena) for their time and for their efforts in recent months. This of course includes players, supporters and the coaching staff. It has been a real privilege to work at Barnsley and I wish everyone good luck for the coming seasons, says Asbaghi to the club’s website.
Later on Sunday, he says that it was never relevant to continue in the club – no matter how it had gone.
– When the club in March asked me if I wanted to stay next year, I was quite early clear that I will seek new challenges regardless of league affiliation. Now that the season is basically over, it is better to hand over to those who can take this further, Asbaghi says to Expressen.
In the 26 matches Asbaghi led, the team won the four, crossed seven and lost 15.
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