Hourihane was appointed as head coach on an interim basis in March 2025. He received a two-year contract exactly 12 months ago, signaling initial confidence in his leadership.

However, Barnsley currently sits 12th in League One, a disappointing position that places them 12 points outside the play-off places. Under Hourihane, the team has won only 14 of their 42 league games this season.

The decisive moment came after discussions between Hourihane and the Barnsley board. Jon Flatman, a representative of the club, stated, “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.”

Hourihane’s tenure included notable achievements. He scored 31 goals in 135 appearances during his first spell at Barnsley and captained them to an EFL Trophy and League One promotion double in 2016.

Yet, this marks Barnsley’s fourth successive season in the third tier of English football. The club also announced a net loss of more than £6.5 million for the year ending June 2025.

In response to his departure, Hourihane expressed mutual respect with the club: “There’s great respect between me, club, board, fans, everyone involved,” he said. “We felt that at the end of the season, it was probably the right time just to part ways.”

His final game in charge will be a home fixture against Stockport County on May 2. This match will conclude a tumultuous period for both Hourihane and Barnsley.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding potential successors or future plans for Barnsley as they look to rebuild ahead of next season.

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