Barnsley have announced Austrian Gerhard Struber as the club's new head coach ahead of this weekend’s game at Ewood Park.

The 42-year-old replaces Daniel Stendel, who left in early October after guiding Barnsley to promotion to the Championship last season.

The appointment ends a six-week search for a replacement for Stendel, with Struber tasked with keeping the South Yorkshire club in the second tier.

The Tykes haven’t won since the opening day of the season, sit five points from safety, and were beaten by Stoke City before the international break.

Struber leaves Wolfsberger third in the Austrian top flight and bottom of their Europa League group after they qualified for European football for the first time in their history at the end of last season.

He also had a spell as assistant head coach at Red Bull Salzburg after working with their youth teams and then as boss at Austrian second-tier club FC Liefering before taking charge of Wolfsberger in the summer.

Adam Murray had been in caretaker charge after Stendel's departure, picking up three points from five games during his tenure.

"We are delighted to announce the appointment of Gerhard Struber as Barnsley Football Club's new first team head coach," read a statement on the club's official website.

"The 42-year-old Austrian arrives at Oakwell with top-level experience, having managed Wolfsberger AC in this season's UEFA Europa League, with impressive results to show for the matches played thus far."

Barnsley chief executive officer Dane Murphy said: "Gerhard is a young coaching talent that any side would be pleased to have.

"The club had pursued him in the past as his tactical approach and track record of developing burgeoning talent appeals to the core philosophies at Barnsley Football Club."