DANIEL Stendel arrived back in Barnsley on Wednesday for his second stint as head coach.

The 52-year-old German, who was appointed in May after the exit by mutual consent of Conor Hourihane, briefly visited Oakwell last month and went to the EFL play-off finals with chief executive Jon Flatman.

He then returned to his home in Hannover – where he had been coaching the city’s club’s reserves side – but was in regular contact with Flatman and others as they planned for the new season.

Stendel – who won promotion with the Reds in 2019 – is now back at Oakwell full-time and will spend the next few days preparing for the players’ return on Wednesday of next week.

They are expected to have an intense summer with the head coach a stickler for fitness and keen to drill his style of play into the squad.

The Reds play three friendlies in front of fans, at York City on July 11, Scarborough Athletic on July 25 and then at home to Lincoln City on August 1. They are also due to play at least two other behind-closed-doors games, potentially an inter-squad game plus a fixture against Championship opponents.

Barnsley under 21s have several friendlies including one at Frickley Athletic on July 14 and another at Worksop Town on July 19.

The Reds are looking to make two additions to Stendel’s backroom staff.

They are thought to be keen to bring in an analyst – who could be from overseas depending on a visa – and an assistant coach. They could also sign at least one player who Stendel knows from his time in German football.

The Reds are thought to be allowed to bring in two players from EU countries and are expected to fill both slots throughout the summer transfer window. They may not be Stendel’s former players but that is one possible route.