Caretaker-boss says his tenure 'couldn't have gone better' so far
Saturday 28 May 2016 17:11, UK
Paul Heckingbottom believes his superb stint as Barnsley caretaker-manager will lose its shine if they fail to finish the job in the Sky Bet League One play-off final on Sunday.
Heckingbottom, born and bred in the town, has already led the Reds to the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and now sits one game away from delivering Championship football after taking over from Lee Johnson in February.
After booking their place in the play-offs with a 4-1 blitzing of champions Wigan on the final day and breezing past Walsall in the two-legged semi-final, only Millwall stand in their way of a return to the second tier.
Victory would surely make Heckingbottom's caretaker spell one of the most decorated in the game and he is not contemplating any other result.
"It couldn't have gone better, you could only hope for this," he said.
"We have got to be delighted with where we are and what we have done but, just from a personal point of view, looking back afterwards I don't think I will put it in perspective if we lose, I'll just think what a great chance we had."
Heckingbottom, who is expected to agree terms on a permanent deal after the game, knows his way around a play-off final, having won two and lost one.
He was part of the Barnsley team that beat Swansea in 2006 and will be passing down his experience.
It's absolutely huge and what's at stake is not a medal, it's the chance to progress your career and performing on a bigger stage.
"The players won't know how big a play-off final is until they win it because it's huge. It's like a cup final after 46 rounds and a two-legged semi-final," he added.
"It's absolutely huge and what's at stake is not a medal, it's the chance to progress your career and performing on a bigger stage. There is so much riding on it, you have to enjoy it but the reward at stake is massive.
"The best part of my playing career was winning the play-off final with Barnsley, so to go and do it again would be unbelievable.
"It would be absolutely huge and it would top off what has been an absolutely fantastic season.
"In terms of when you speak and what you are saying, I have been there and done it.
"We have got an inexperienced squad in terms of the play-offs, I think three have played in them before, no winners, so we have had a good discussion about the play-offs, what to expect, what changes and about how the feeling of it is different.
"Every little bit of the play-offs is different and that is what it has been, building a picture."
