Final three candidates for Barnsley FC head coach role

Caretaker head coach Adam Murray is in the three alongside former Bayern Munich player and coach Valerien Ismael, 45, who left his last position at Austrian outfit LASK in July. Ismael is the current favourite for the position.

The other name widely tipped to be the other candidate is former Red Bull Leipzig and Brondby manager Alexander Zorniger, 53.

Speaking to The Yorkshire Post, Murphy said: "We are in a final group of three and we will be shortly making the decision.

"I wouldn't want to put a marker on it, but in the next few days (candidates will be spoken to).

"It will not be as drawn out as it was last time and we should be able to make a decision and form a decision as a group relatively quickly.

"I think the (final) decision will be made before the next international break, definitely."

Confirming Ismael as a candidate, he added: "He is in the final group and we are trying as a collective - the board and myself - to decide what the next step.

"Adam is also in the group and he was done an excellent job.

"Even last year, when he was thrust into a really tough spot in the middle of the season with a tough run of games, he did a very good job.

"He knows what is best for the club and a real pro and a good person and has a good rapport with the players and rest of the staff, both the coaching and support staff and front office.

"He understands what it takes and what is best going forward. In our last two games, we looked better in attack and more dangerous as a group and you cannot say anything other than he has done a good job so far."

Doncaster Rovers boss Darren Moore was widely speculated to be a leading candidate for the position and led the betting for some time, but Murphy confirmed that they was never any contact from Barnsley to their South Yorkshire neighbours or Moore and his representatives.

"I think it was more speculative than anything. When it first came to me, it was the first I was aware of it," the Reds CEO continued.

"We never spoke to Doncaster, Darren or any of his representatives. He has been on our coaching list in the past, but it has never got any further than that and we have never discussed anything with him."