Barnsley coach linked with Old Trafford

 Welshman Simon Davey has been linked with the assistant coaching position at Manchester United. The Barnsley manager has apparently caught the eye of head coach Sir Alex Ferguson, and is being touted as a favourite to replace outgoing assistant coach Carlos Quieroz, who is set to take over the management of the Portuguese national team.

Davey came to the fore during the 2007/2008 FA Cup season after he guided Barnsley to the semi-finals of the tournament, taking out Premiership giants Chelsea and Liverpool with a modest selection of players. This achievement was sufficient to attract the interest of Sir Alex Ferguson who is said to be looking to inject fresh energy into the Manchester United coaching team.

Despite being the favourite to take over from Quieroz, Davey is not the only coach being considered for the position. Other hopefuls include Blackpool coach Simon Grayson, Swansea coach Roberto Martinez and Manchetser United’s youth academy coach Brian McClair.

Davey refused to confirm rumours that he will be departing for Old Trafford this week, saying “"To be linked with a club like that is fantastic and extremely flattering – we must be doing something right here – but there has been no contact and it is just speculation.”