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Barnsley have only won 14 of their 41 league games this season under Conor Hourihane Barnsley head coach Conor Hourihane is to leave the club at the end of the season by mutual agreement. The former Aston Villa and Derby County midfielder was appointed on an interim basis in March 2025 following the sacking of Darrell Clarke and given a two-year contract exactly 12 months ago. This season, though, has been a disappointment with the club currently 12th in League One, 12 points outside the play-off places. "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, " said chief executive Jon Flatman. "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 at Oakwell, having scored 31 goals in 135 appearances in his first spell at the club and captained them to an EFL Trophy and League One promotion double in 2016. He won 36 caps for the Republic of Ireland during his career and returned to Barnsley as a player-coach under Clarke in the summer of 2024, but only played two games before deciding to hang up his boots. "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, " he said. "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. " Hourihane's final game in charge will be a home fixture against Stockport County on 2 May. Barnsley are currently in their fourth successive season in the third tier of English football, and reached the play-offs in 2023 and 2024. The club announced a net loss of more than £6. 5m, external for the 12 months ended in June 2025. They will now begin the search for their seventh head coach since Valerien Ismael left in the summer of 2021 after guiding them to the Championship play-offs, the closest they have come to a return to the Premier League since their single top-flight season in 1997-98. Conor Hourihane captained Barnsley to a 3-1 win over Millwall in the 2016 League One play-off final How Lampard's own revival ended Coventry's 25-year wait Premier League: Brentford host rivals Fulham in first of five games Fitzpatrick's superb 63 puts him in Heritage lead 31-0: International football's biggest ever defeat Preview the new drama from the creator of Baby Reindeer Join Tyler West and Alfie Watts on a Race Across the World debrief Lucy Punch stars as ‘alpha mum’ Amanda How Coventry earned Premier League return after 25 years Crucible pays tribute to John Virgo at World Championship. Video Crucible pays tribute to John Virgo at World Championship From FA ban to double Euros winners - Lionesses reach 500 games 'Mums thank me for changing the narrative': How motherhood in rugby has evolved One of Arsenal's greatest unsung heroes - Keown's tribute to Manninger Nobody says who called first, but Arteta and Guardiola speak again - Balague What it's really like to try to make it to F1 What does the Saudi Arabia PIF's change in approach mean for Newcastle? Sutton's predictions v boxer Molly Mc Cann & the Boo Radleys Is this the beginning of the end for LIV Golf? A big topic for others, not for her - Eta on groundbreaking head coach role Lotus 79 voted most beautiful F1 car by BBC Sport users 'It's not like my ovaries are fighting' World Championship 2026: Matches, top seeds & BBC TV schedule Weekly sports quiz: How much money does the Masters winner get? World Cup winner Kildunne reveals body dysmorphia struggle Do you have to be a millionaire to become an F1 driver? 'I should have died' - Taylor on 10 years since forced retirement The Briton who remains in demand in NBA at 74 Sophie's mum died of ovarian cancer - don't tell her it's taboo Copyright © 2026 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.