Conor Hourihane to leave Barnsley FC at the end of the season
Conor Hourihane is to leave Barnsley at the end of the season, it has been announced.
The decision has been described as mutual and the parting of the ways is believed to be amicable, with the timing of the announcement designed to give him a good send off in his final two matches as head coach at Oakwell.
Hourihane initially took over on an interim basis after the sacking of Darrell Clarke in March 2025, but this has been his first full season in charge, and it has been a disappointing one, with Houihane's frustration at the League One club's lack of ambition increasingly obvious.
When top-score Davis Keillor-Dunn was sold to Wrexham in the winter transfer window, he was replaced with 33-year-old free transfer Tom Bradshaw.
Now all parties have decided it is best to part ways.
Move to appoint are replacement are said to already be "well advanced", which should allow for a smooth transition.
“We would like to thank Conor for his hard work and commitment during his time in charge," said chief executive Jon Flatman.
“After honest conversations between the board and Conor, it was felt that the best course of action for both parties would be to pursue a fresh start ahead of preparations for the 2026-27 season.
“We are now looking to ensure a smooth transition between Conor and our new head coach through to the end of the current campaign.”
Hourihane is a club legend on account of his playing career which saw the midfielder play 136 times for the Reds.
He was captain of the Barnsley side which won the Football League Trophy and League One play-offs in 2016, and is revered as one of the club's greatest modern-day players.
Announcing the decision now is designed to allow fans to say a proper goodbye.
Barnsley have two home games remaining this season, against Bradford City today and Stockport County at Oakwell on May 2.
“I am incredibly grateful to the club for giving me the opportunity to begin my management journey, particularly at a club that means so much to me," said former Republic of Ireland midfielder Hourihane, who initially returned as a player-coach under Clarke.
"I want to say a massive thank you to the Barnsley supporters. I will always hold Barnsley in my heart and wish the club nothing but the very best for the future.
“Following discussions between the club and myself, we both felt that a change in the summer would be best to ensure a smooth transition. The main focus now is on the final five games and finishing the season as strongly as possible to provide the best platform going forward.”
With five games to play, Barnsley are 12th in League One, their hopes of reaching the play-offs long since gone.
It is not just fans who have expressed their frustration.
In March Hourihane said: "Last year, it was a mediocre season for the club. This year, do we want to let it peter out and be a mediocre season? Maybe... And time will tell on that.
Barnsley’s board felt compelled to defend themselves amidst criticism of their lack of ambition in a division where clubs are losing an average £6m a year. Their record is broadly in line with that.
Having gone for a club legend but not given him sufficient backing, the pressure will now be on Barnsley’s board to make an ambitious appointment.