The Reds have opted to wield the axe with just 10 games of the League One season remaining, ending Darrell Clarke’s tenure less than a year after it started.
He has left with Barnsley sat 10th in the table, eight points adrift of the play-offs. Barnsley have opted against hiring an immediate successor, instead putting faith in Hourihane to push the club towards the top six.
The club’s sporting director Mladen Sormaz said: "Darrell is someone I respect and have enjoyed working with and I’d like to thank him for his efforts this season.
"Whilst a list of replacements has been identified, we will take some time to ensure the next appointment is the right one with a focus on playing identity, returning to high pressing and attacking football.
"We believe that Conor can help to create enough bounce to keep us fighting for the top six until the end of the season. We will also be working in parallel to have a new head coach in place over the summer.”
The Yorkshire Post have taken a look at some of the coaches Barnsley could potentially target in the summer.
5. Leam Richardson
The 45-year-old led Wigan Athletic to promotion from League One in 2022, scooping the division's Manager of the Season award in the process. He has been away from the dugout since he paid the price for Rotherham United's relegation to the third tier. Photo: Ed Sykes/Getty Images
6. Mick McCarthy
A veteran of management, McCarthy has Barnsley in his blood. He has managed the likes of Wolverhampton Wanderers, Sunderland and the Republic of Ireland national team. Photo: Bryn Lennon/Getty Images
7. Des Buckingham
Many felt Buckingham's dismissal at Oxford United was harsh, especially considering he led the U's to promotion from League One as recently as last season. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
8. Rob Edwards
The former Barnsley defender worked wonders at Luton Town, but oversaw a dramatic decline in the latter stages of his Hatters tenure. Still a highly-rated coach, he would arguably be a coup for a League One club. Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images