Former Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper on 'Premier League manager-in-waiting' linked with Owls role

The relegation-threatened Owls are on the hunt for a third permanent boss in as many months after the shock departure of Tony Pulis last month.

And they could do a lot worse than one of the current bookies’ favourites, according to one of their popular former goalkeepers.

David Lucas, who was Wednesday’s number one during their 2005 promotion from League One, worked as Joey Barton’s goalkeeping coach at Fleetwood Town throughout the former Newcastle player’s two-and-a-half year Highbury tenure.

And he believes the controversial figure – links with whom has ruffled the feathers of sections of the Wednesday fan base – will develop into a manager of the very top table.

Speaking to The Star earlier this year, Lucas described Barton as a ‘knowledgeable’ manager he can see working in the top tier of English football.

“I genuinely believe we have a top, top Premier League manager in waiting and it’s been great to see his evolution and development,” he said.

“He’s nothing like the persona some people have him as. He’s warm, he’s funny, he’s hugely supportive of his players and staff, he’s hugely, hugely knowledgeable of football. The players at Fleetwood get on really well with him. He’s the sort of manager you want to get up in the morning and work for.

“One of the biggest things is how tactically astute he is, he’s so tactically versatile and he’s got masses of potential. Honestly, I have no doubt, he’ll be very, very successful. He’ll manage in the Premier League.”

Barton took over at Fleetwood in 2018 and took them to the League One playoffs last season, before he left the club this week.

Reports in the national media suggest the one-cap England international is in no rush to find a new posting and that he will undertake work to earn more coaching badges before he makes a return to football.

As of Wednesday morning Barton was an even-priced bookmakers’ favourite for the vacant Owls post. Neil Thompson is preparing to take the side for their FA Cup trip to Exeter this weekend.

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