Sunderland managerial target Daniel Stendel downs tequila shots with Barnsley fans as they organise 'farewell party' after he was sacked

Stendel and his assistant Chris Stern arrived at The Garrison in the town just after 8pm, for a ‘farewell party’ following the news he had parted company with the Reds.

A video posted on social media showed Stendel downing a tequila shot before sucking on a lemon, as fans cheered in the background.

"It's been a very emotional time for me," Stendel told the Barnsley Chronicle.

"What a lot of people have said to me is this - 'once a Red, always a Red'."

Sunderland are thought to have made contact with Stendel as they search for a new manager, after they sacked Jack Ross on Tuesday.

Stendel led Barnsley to promotion from League One last season.

A Barnsley supporters group paid a heartfelt tribute to Stendel after he left Oakwell – and added that the Reds’ one-paragraph statement announcing the news doesn’t reflect the town and the club’s values.

Barnsley confirmed the news that they were “seperating” from German boss Stendel, in a terse 21-word statement on their official website.

Neglecting to mention the fact he won them promotion from League One last season, in his first season in charge, or even thank him for his service, it read: “Barnsley Football Club confirms that it has separated from Daniel Stendel with immediate effect. Adam Murray has been appointed caretaker manager.”

That prompted the Barnsley FC Supporters Trust to issue their own statement.

It read: “It was confirmed this morning that Daniel Stendel was leaving Barnsley Football Club with immediate effect.

“BFCST would like to go on record thanking Daniel for not only gaining promotion from League One in his first season in charge, and first season in England, but for immersing himself in the town, the values it holds, and the football club.

“We gained promotion to the Championship last season playing wonderful, attacking football, combined with a sense of togetherness that brought some fantastic memories for many supporters.

“Whilst we don’t want to challenge the club right now on the reasons for Daniel’s departure, we do ask that they consider a further statement this afternoon to enlighten the supporters on the current situation and to give their own thanks to Daniel Stendel for his contribution to the history of this great football club.

“We’re a town and club built on respect and hard work, and this morning’s one paragraph announcement doesn’t play to those values.

“We wish Daniel Stendel great success with his future career and will always consider him one of our own.”