Barnsley demand compensation from Hearts for Daniel Stendel

Club CEO insists Stendel still has Barnsley contract

Barnsley have insisted they are due compensation from Hearts if the Tynecastle club hire Daniel Stendel as their next manager.

The German is set to be named as Craig Levein's replacement in the next 24 hours after 10 days of negotiations.

Owner Ann Budge identified the 45-year-old as her No.1 target but has had to iron out a number of details in order to make the deal a possibility.

Daniel Stendel is set to become the next manager of Hearts. Picture: Getty

One such hurdle was Stendel's contract situation at Barnsley with conflicting reports of whether he cut ties with the Championship side or was placed on gardening leave.

Barnsley's CEO Paul Conway insists Stendel is still very much their employee.

He told the Daily Mail: "We still have a valid contract with Daniel Stendel until the end of the season. There is already a tampering issue with us concerning his existing contract.

"And if anybody else is tampering with our rights, we are going to expect compensation.

"Hearts have our letter and we have notified them and, if they want to hire Daniel, that's fine, that's their choice,' said the Oakwell chief. 'But they either pay us now or we will file a claim against them. And if any club wants to fight it, we will win."

It is believed Hearts are still eager to hire Stendel even if it means paying compensation.