Who is Steve Cherundolo? Daniel Stendel’s former Hannover teammate becomes the latest to be linked with Barnsley

by/ 13 October 2019, 10:51

An assorted range of managers currently feature in the upper echelons of the next Barnsley manager market.

We have Neil Redfearn, the former manager of fellow Yorkshire sides Leeds and Rotherham, and current frontrunner Jan Siewert who is looking for a way back into English football following a disastrous spell at Huddersfield.

Former Schalke boss Domenico Tedesco also features, while Nigel Adkins has also been touted.

The newest name in the frame is Steve Cherundolo, who has been cut from 20/1 to 4/1 to replace Daniel Stendel in the Tykes dugout.

But, who is he?

Here's all you need to know about the American...

Mayor of Hannover

Steve Cherundolo spent the entirety of his playing career in Germany at Hannover 96, where he is affectionately known as the ‘Mayor of Hannover’.

During his 15-year spell at Hannover the right-back helped the Reds win promotion to the Bundesliga, then went on to make 302 appearances in the German top-flight - a Hannover record - he also featured in the Europa League, and captained his side on 96 occasions.

Cherundolo nearly became part of Sam Allardyce’s Bolton in 2005 after the two clubs agreed on a deal, however he declined the offer to move to England.

Cherundolo may have ventured over to Germany at club level, but he accumulated 87 caps for the United States. He took part in two World Cups, which included a 1-1 draw against England in 2010, and played a part in his country’s 2005 Gold Cup success.

How often will you see a foreign one club man? The Mayor of Hannover Steve Cherundolo is one of the first that come to my mind. pic.twitter.com/qkRrQJwGYZ — Santi Bauzá (@sbauza99) October 10, 2019

Has he ever managed?

No. Cherundolo has zero managerial experience to his name, but he has been climbing his way up the coaching ladder.

The American has coached at Hannover at U15s, U17s, and U19s level, then spent 10 months at VfB Stuttgart under boss Tayfun Korkut, one of his former managers at Hannover.

Last Autumn Cherundolo returned to his homeland to briefly help out the United States' then interim coach Dave Sarachan, while this year he's been working towards his UEFA Pro coaching license.

Steve Cherundolo is one to watch as #Barnsleyfc look to replace Daniel Stendel. Previously USA assistant coach. Fits the bill for the American owners. https://t.co/TIw8txDaAX — Aidan McCartney (@aidanmccartney) October 10, 2019

What’s his link to Barnsley?

It's worth noting that former boss Daniel Stendel played with Cherundolo at Hannover, and the German went on to take charge of the club, his only spell in management before his appointment at Barnsley.

Not only is Barnley’s Chairman, Chien Lee, Chinese-American and co-chairman Paul Conway is American - take from that what you will - but recent history tells us that the club are no strangers in giving relatively inexperienced managers a chance to shine at Oakwell.

Stendel being a case in point, as is Paul Heckingbottom. Lee Johnson was appointed on the back of two years at Oldham, whereas José Morais had never managed in England.

Morais and Stendel may have experienced contrasting fortunes at Barnsley, but both were surprise appointments, and Cherundolo could well be next in line. If that’s the case, supporters will be hoping he’s more Stendel than Morais...