Last season, Barnsley managed to reach the League One playoff final under the management of Michael Duff and narrowly missed out on promotion.
However, Duff left Barnsley in June to take charge of Championship outfit Swansea City and now a new Oakwell era beckons.
The Oakwell outfit have stepped up their managerial search in recent weeks and have been linked with several candidates.
Derry City manager Higgins emerged as a leading candidate to succeed Duff at Barnsley.
However, it has been suggested that Higgins is not in the running for the Yorkshire outfit’s managerial role.
And it has been claimed that Barnsley are closing in on the appointment of their new manager.
Barnsley are set to face AFC Fylde on Saturday in a pre-season friendly and it is expected that they will announce their new boss before the game.