GOALKEEPING guru Fred Barber will leave Wanderers at the end of his current deal.

The popular 48-year-old has served the club for 16 years in a coaching capacity and also works within the Northern Ireland international set-up.

After serving as part-time goalkeeping coach under Colin Todd, Barber was made a full-time employee by Sam Allardyce in 2004, having also served West Brom under Bryan Robson.

A hugely entertaining figure on and off the field, he was instrumental in Jussi Jaaskelainen’s career, taking him under his wing soon after his arrival from Finland and turning him into one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers.

Barber – who made close to 400 appearances for a variety of clubs in his playing career – has also been a key figure in Adam Bogdan’s rapid progression.

When Owen Coyle was appointed manager in January 2010, bringing with him goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes from Burnley, it was thought that Barber’s time with Wanderers had reached its conclusion.

But with Jaaskelainen pressing for him to stay at the club, a new role was created and Barber remained at the Reebok as director of goalkeeping, also bringing Whites legend Keith Branagan into the Academy goalkeeping set-up at the end of last season.

Following the club’s relegation from the top flight, and Jaaskelainen’s own exit, it has now been decided that Barber will move on – although it is understood he has not yet agreed a settlement with the club nor agreed terms elsewhere.

Barber also runs a series of successful coaching schools that have helped unearth a number of young talents, including former Manchester United star Tomas Kuszczak.

Wanderers have kept the vast majority of their backroom staff together for their first season back in the Championship in 11 years but announced last week that sports rehabilitatior Harry Brooke has also left to take up a position with the Oman national team.