Devante Cole, the son of Manchester United legend Andy Cole, has been released by Barnsley despite being the club’s top goalscorer. The 29-year-old forward scored an impressive 18 goals and provided three assists in his 46 appearances for Barnsley this season. His contributions were instrumental in helping the team secure a spot in the League One Play-Offs after finishing sixth in the league.
Unfortunately, Barnsley faced disappointment in the play-offs, losing the first leg of their semi-final against Bolton Wanderers 3-1. Although they managed to win the second leg 3-2, they were eliminated from the competition with a 5-4 aggregate score. It’s worth noting that the club had to navigate these crucial matches without a manager, as Neil Collins had been sacked before the final game of the league season.
Cole’s time at Barnsley spanned three seasons, during which he scored a total of 34 goals in 115 appearances. However, he is one of five players who have been released by the club this summer. Alongside Cole, Jordan Williams, Robbie Cundy, Herbie Kane, and Nicky Cadden have also been let go.
Despite his father’s iconic status as a Manchester United player, Devante Cole actually began his career at Manchester City’s academy. He joined the club at the age of seven in 2003, while his father would later join City for the 2005-06 season. However, Devante never made a senior appearance for City and ultimately left the club to join Bradford in 2015. Since then, he has had spells at Fleetwood, Wigan, Doncaster, and Motherwell before joining Barnsley.
Andy Cole himself has had an illustrious career in football. He currently serves as a Manchester United ambassador and a pundit. Throughout his playing career, he won five Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, two FA Cups, and a League Cup. His achievements have earned him a recent induction into the Premier League Hall of Fame.
The release of Devante Cole by Barnsley raises questions about the future direction of the club. Despite his impressive goal-scoring record, it seems that the decision was made to part ways with the forward. This could be due to a variety of factors, such as the club’s desire to bring in new talent or financial considerations. Regardless, it will be interesting to see where Cole’s career takes him next and whether he can continue to thrive at a higher level.
Football is a sport known for its unpredictability, and this decision serves as a reminder that even the top goalscorer of a club can face an uncertain future. It highlights the competitive nature of the sport and the constant need for clubs to make strategic decisions to ensure their success. As fans, we can only hope that Devante Cole lands on his feet and continues to make an impact in the game.