Barnsley sack Darrell Clarke and name ex-Prem and EFL player Conor Hourihane in charge for the rest of the 2024/25 season.
The South Yorkshire outfit are searching for another new head coach after sacking Clarke after 44 games at Oakwell.
That’s 9 permanent bosses been and gone since February 2018, and now Conor Hourihane will be in charge until this summer, and will be assisted by Jon Stead and Martin Devaney.
Barnsley Football Club can confirm that Darrell Clarke has been relieved of his duties as Men’s First Team Head Coach.
— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) March 12, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT:
Barnsley Football Club can confirm that Darrell Clarke has been relieved of his duties as Men’s First Team Head Coach.
Appointed in May 2024, Darrell has overseen 44 games in charge of the Reds. He leaves the Club currently positioned tenth in League One, eight points outside the play-off places.
Conor Hourihane will take charge of the Men’s First Team until the end of the season. He will be assisted by Jon Stead and Martin Devaney alongside Tom Harban, who will step up from the Under-21s setup.
Chairman, Neerav Parekh said, “We would like to thank Darrell for his efforts in a season which has been difficult for various reasons. Darrell has worked extremely hard to try and get the team competitive and pushing for promotion, unfortunately, we find ourselves eight points away from the play-offs and feel that a change is needed.”
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.”
Clarke said after defeat to Blackpool, per Barnsley Chronicle: “It’s another one of those games I’m apologising for.
“We’ve had too many games this season where we’ve been nowhere near the level.
“It’s not acceptable to go a goal down and chuck in the towel like we did.
“They’re well aware of that.
“We have to respond.
“I certainly won’t let the season fizzle out that’s for sure.
“I never give up – I’m not the sort of guy that’s going to give up.
“When you’re representing this club and this fan base then there’s no way I’m ever going to give up.
“I can handle losing football matches – I don’t like it – but there’s a way I can’t stand losing.
“This is another of those today.
“There’s too many times when things go against us that we go very flaky.
“They go in their shells.
“It’s an atmosphere at the minute that’s tough to play in but rightly so.
“I understand the fans’ frustrations.
“You’ve just got to front up to it and be counted.”
Darrell Clarke’s thoughts after our game against Blackpool 🗣️ pic.twitter.com/k6Jh1D6GO1
— Barnsley FC (@BarnsleyFC) March 8, 2025
Fans reacted as Barnsley sack Darrell Clarke and name ex-Prem and EFL player Conor Hourihane in charge for rest of the season…
@leebsfc11: “Get back to high pressing, attacking football”. He’s seen the squad he’s signed off on and assembled, right? We’ve got 1 (2 at a push) decent attacking players with no pace in the squad whatsoever.
@connoralmond02: that’s fucking harsh that, we’re talking about a bloke whose just lost his job with his hands tied behind his back. all the best Clarkey ❤️
@oakwellgrovest:
1. Clarke didn’t get the best out of the players in the squad.
2. Clarke was let down in the transfer windows by the owners.
Both of the above contributed to a poor season.
@CeCeShakes21: Never seemed appreciated at Barnsley
@jackfb46: Good luck clarkey ❤️ much bigger problems at this club he might not have been the answer but he spoke his mind and did the best he could with the shite dealt for him
@GeoffBa04196784: It should be Sormaz who went, Clarke been thrown under the bus
@Al_Cooper7: He isn’t the problem. Not going to help.
@w4key7: Absolutely disgraceful decision @BarnsleyFC Throw another proper football man under the bus because he couldn’t work miracles with what he had at his disposal. Promised more but failed again by a recruitment department and board that are not fit for purpose. #getemout
@joeclar80252630: So fucking harsh, did well with his hands behind his back with fuck all off the board. All the best Darrell.
@rstoddart65: Get rid of Devaney as well
@dawnredman12345: wrong decision hear the board has shafted this guy big time
@TTaylor2724: Utter disgrace. You have threw this man under the bus. Board, hang your heads in shame and sell the club, please just go.
@MegzBFC: Feel for Clarkey here. He’s been shafted big time by the board. They’re the problem, not him. Best of luck for the future DC #OnceARedAlwaysARed
@jakebfc7: Can’t wait to get someone from the Greek 6th tier
@EthanGTBFC: Can’t fault his desire to do well & him being an overall good guy, but didn’t have a style of play 9 months in and was not working. HOWEVER, whilst Clarke was part of the problem, he wasn’t all of it. Board still needs to be held accountable for recruitment. #barnsleyfc
@ibboryan: Absolute disgrace. The wrong guy has gone. Time to sell up.
@BFC291: You don’t back the manager and now he’s lost his job 🤬
@MarkHanson_: Let down by a terrible recruitment policy, desperate for a striker so we get one who has scored 7 goals in two years. Sacked to cover the boards shortcomings.
@AlfieKuy: Then above still a problem but was Clarke blameless , no. Had threee systems and none of them worked. Lot of wins were flukes and even in tenth, it’s a false position.
@MrMikeyMooshoo: SACK THE BOARD.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login