Fans react after Barnsley announce the decision to part ways with Conor Hourihane at the end of the 2025/26 season.
He will take charge of the final five matches of the season, with the club sitting 12th in League One with 55 points from 41 games played.
It is said that the search for new head coach is at an ‘advanced stage’…
Barnsley Football Club and Conor Hourihane will mutually part ways at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Following discussions between both parties, it was concluded that a change would be beneficial for both parties ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Read more: https://t.co/2OOFvKwl61 pic.twitter.com/3hYcI9MSCP
— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) April 18, 2026
CLUB STATEMENT:
Barnsley Football Club can confirm that Conor Hourihane and the Club will mutually part ways at the end of the 2025/26 season.
Following discussions between both parties, it was concluded that a change would be beneficial for both parties ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.
Chief Executive Officer Jon Flatman said:
“We would like to thank Conor for his hard work and commitment during his time in charge.
“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.”
Conor Hourihane said:
“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.
“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.”
Conor’s final game in charge of the Reds will be the Sky Bet League One fixture against Stockport County at Oakwell on Saturday 2 May 2026.
🗣️ “Didzy’s done incredibly well… would I like to have him in the dressing room again, absolutely”
🔴 Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane on top scorer David McGoldrick’s future and decisions for next season.
🎧👉 https://t.co/syOYb1yrvM#BarnsleyFC | @BBCSheffield pic.twitter.com/bjasEPt1Ri
— Football Heaven (@footballheaven) April 16, 2026
🗣️ “I haven’t heard nothing, I haven’t been spoken to, so as far as I take it, I’ve got two-and-a-half weeks left”
🔴 Barnsley forward David McGoldrick on a new Reds contract, with the 38-year-old keen to keep playing.
🎧👉 https://t.co/tRDR7EV6Ba#BarnsleyFC | @BBCSheffield pic.twitter.com/4ypayw0baH
— Football Heaven (@footballheaven) April 16, 2026
Fans react after Barnsley announce the decision to part ways with Conor Hourihane at the end of the season…
@Andy_Squiff
Fucking stupid decision.
Finally get a bloke who cares and we treat him like crap!
He’s not the problem!
@xCammy17x: So much for him being in charge next season 😂😂😂 bunch of liars as usual
@tyke_gamin: Change ownership and he would have at least have had a chance
@aaron_challoner: Doesn’t surprise me. Felt sorry for him against Plymouth. He was pushing his players to get it forward and press harder, but they either didn’t listen or hadn’t heard what he said.
@LagerTyke: Right decision, but weird timing. Right before a game? Go well Conor. You will always be a legend and it’s sad it didn’t work out. Think it came too soon for you. Time for a fresh start for both parties
@thompsonben92: Next season will be grim. I dread to think who the replacement will be.
@DanT_05: Shame it didn’t work out, but a change was needed, all the best Conor
@Mael_Fan_Club: Board goes next 🤞🤞🤞 Go well Conor, come back in a few years with some experience and you’ll smash it
@_Ciaran_Clarke_: Saving his legacy from his playing time at the club. Was brave to take over the head coach position in the first place and unfortunately it didn’t go very well. All the best Conor👌🏽
@jordie_bfc: Correct decision 👏 well done to the board and Conor for not dragging it on any longer than it oredy has.
@neilellis71:
Don’t matter who comes in they will still be working under the current regime at the top!
Players out of contract
Players going back after the loan period ends
No money for transfers
Hardly a selling point to anyone coming in at the club
@The_Mannster: The thing is who of any clout is going to come in and work under this shower of shite above them. Yes, CH has not covered himself in glory this season and it has been a baptism of fire, but he has the club at heart and I think he’ll do well in his next job given the right support
@BFCbennett: Gave him plenty of shit but honestly gutted it didn’t work out, but it needed to happen, now we can focus on getting the owners out
@ChrisHilton83: This is mental just before a game… #bcafc
@OffTheLineBlog: Harsh IMO. Sit 12th in tough L1 financial landscape. Developed assets in Cleary, Kelly and Yoganathan. Very little resource. Reliance on loans to plug the squad. Chances of keeping McGoldrick likely gone as a result. Like cut of his jib. Good luck, Conor! Tough 26-27.
@Cooky_Bfc: This hurts I can’t lie, think a lot of us wanted it to work out really badly. Don’t think anyone can talk bad of him, realistically this job alone is hard enough as it is under this hierarchy, but to take it with no previous experience is even harder. Thankyou CH, go well.
@beardedtyke: If it’s at the end of the season, why announce it now?? Can we just be normal for a change?
@WilliamKin25997: @ConorHourihane Best of luck to you with your next job. Had to deal with so much from the board killing the club. At least your legacy will still be as a club legend
@kylem1887: I reckon this has definitely come more from his side than the club. Knows next season is going to be a massive struggle and he’s got to rebuild a squad with no money. I’d have liked him to stay and have a crack at building something at least. Starting fully from scratch now.
@LuccaMallender: This is not good for the club in the slightest. I know majority are Hourihane out (like me), but this means that there will be no new contracts this season I think. Time to say good bye to Didzy 😢👋
@richoxley61: Finish strongly with the coach that the board doesn’t want or believe in or the coach that can’t work with the level of ‘commitment’ provided by the board. Another season another coach. Doesn’t look like commitment or a plan to me!
