Reds boss Andy Ritchie has denied speculation that Sheffield Wednesday want him as their next manager to replace Paul Sturrock who was sacked last week- 5 days after getting the better or Ritchie's Reds at Hillsborough.
The rumours mirror the scenes from 8 years ago when then Barnsley boss Danny Wilson left Oakwell to take over Sheffield Wednesday after failing to keep The Reds in the Premiership. Wilson relegated the Owls the following year.
It has now been confirmed that Chairman Gordon Shepherd turned down an approach from Wednesday Chairman Dave Allen for Ritchie today!
Ritchie told
It is flattering when your name gets mentioned in regards to other clubs because it means that someone has sat up and said that I have done a good job here.
"I have heard rumours that Sheffield Wednesday are after an ex-player to take over and I cannot ever remember playing for them. I do not think I will be the man."
It's hardly a defiant no chance from Ritchie, who incidentally sees his contract run out in the summer, but for now he seems a Barnsley man.
Meanwhile calamity goal-keeper Vito Mannone has returned to the Emirates Stadium after sustaining a knee injury.
Mannone, who's two errors cost The Reds at least 2 points against Preston and Luton suffered a knee problem in training and his place on the bench was taken by summer acquisition Kyle Letheren at Sunderland. Ritchie told
www.barnsleyfc.co.uk:"Vito has a slight problem with his knee so he was not involved at the Stadium of Light. He has gone down to Arsenal to let their medical staff have a look at him".