Barnsley chief executive Gauthier Ganaye shortlisted for top job at St Etienne

Barnsley chief executive Gauthier Ganaye is in the running for the same role at St Etienne, Press Association Sport understands.

The 29-year-old is understood to be on the shortlist for the newly created position at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard.

St Etienne currently operate under two chairmen but are searching for a chief executive to oversee the sale of a significant stake in the club.

Ganaye became the youngest chief executive in the Football League when he joined Barnsley from Ligue 2 club Lens in June last year.

The Frenchman oversaw the running of the Yorkshire club during the recent takeover by a consortium led by Chinese businessman Chien Lee and American Paul Conway which included investment from baseball pioneer Billy Beane, declaring in a statement that it opened "an exciting chapter" for Barnsley.

St Etienne are an established Ligue 1 club but are struggling towards the bottom of the table at the halfway stage of this season.