There’s a new contender named on shortlist for the Barnsley head coach role as replacement for Conor Hourihane.
On Saturday, Barnsley announced they and Conor Hourihane would mutually part ways at the end of the 2026/27 season.
Earlier this week, former AFC Bournemouth defender Charlie Daniels was reportedly on Barnsley’s radar, with talks continuing with multiple candidates.
Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) wrote on the 21st of April: “Barnsley expect to make a quick appointment as their new head coach.
“Discussions with multiple candidates have already taken place.
“Understand Charlie Daniels is one name who made the shortlist.
“Unclear if Barnsley will advance anything, but the Watford assistant, who has been mentored by Eddie Howe, has some admirers within the club.🔴”
Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) tweeted on the 22nd of April: “Notts County boss Martin Paterson is a contender for the Barnsley head coach role. Paterson is one of the names in the frame to take over at Oakwell, with the 38-year-old knowing the club well having previously been assistant manager to Michael Duff. #Notts #Barnsley”
Notts County boss Martin Paterson is a contender for the Barnsley head coach role. Paterson is one of the names in the frame to take over at Oakwell, with the 38-year-old knowing the club well having previously been assistant manager to Michael Duff. #Notts #Barnsley pic.twitter.com/8TrajgfUAW
— Pete O’Rourke (@SportsPeteO) April 22, 2026
Barnsley expect to make a quick appointment as their new head coach.
Discussions with multiple candidates have already taken place.
Understand Charlie Daniels is one name who made the shortlist.
Unclear if Barnsley will advance anything, but the Watford assistant, who has been… pic.twitter.com/FC1g4AShNj
— Ben Jacobs (@JacobsBen) April 21, 2026
FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW BARNSLEY MANAGER:
BetVictor – 22nd April
Charlie Daniels – 1/1
Darren Moore – 2/1
Darren Ferguson – 10/1
Lee Grant – 10/1
Matt Taylor – 14/1
Dean Holden – 14/1
On leaving the club, Conor Hourihane said as per Barnsley Chronicle: “The players reported for pre-match as normal, we had a quick meeting, I let them know a couple of minutes before it was announced. It was really important for me to do that.
“The permanent manager role started with a meeting down at Leyton Orient in front of the group, and I wanted it the same way this morning. It was right for me to kind of talk to them and let them know what’s happening.
“And for them to put it to one side and to have a sending off that was so early in the game, it was a lot to take on, but full credit to them.”
On talks with the board: “It’s been happening over the last kind of a week or so and busy few days. I don’t think there’s ever going to be a right time because of our schedule.
“You know, we got Saturday, we got Tuesday, we got Saturday, we got Tuesday. So, whenever we announce it, whether it’s this morning, whether it’s Monday, there’s going to be a game around the corner.
“So I wanted it to do it today. I just wanted it out there.
“I didn’t want the kind of the burden of carrying it around and not speaking to the players properly on this or whatever.
“I asked them for a performance to make me proud. And, you know, by God, they kind of did they pay me back.
“Just a general discussion between myself, board, club, how it’s going to look moving forward. And we came to the conclusion that it was, it was best to part ways.
“The statement’s out there. It says what it says.
“The discussions will stay in-house and very private, obviously. There’s great respect between me, club, board, fans, everyone involved.
“And we just felt, look, at the end of the season, it’s probably the right time just to part ways. We’ve got really important four games to go.
“I want to finish strongly, give the club the best platform moving forward to go into the summer in the best shape possible. And off the back of the last three games, I think that we’re getting into that place.”
On if it was related to his interview in March when he said ‘it will be the same next season’, he said: “No, not necessarily. Like I understand that people will probably point to kind of that interview or that comment or whatever.
“And that’s their conclusion.
“Both parties probably felt that it’s probably the right choice.
“I’ve been supported since being in here. There’s been some brilliant decisions behind the scenes made for me.
“There’s been some decisions where, like any manager, you want a little bit more. And so there’s nothing in terms of support and how that’s going to look that’s made me come to the conclusion between the discussions.
“It’s just been a real mutual, amicable termination. We both move forward in, in different directions and so on.”
Asked if the 2-2 draw with Bradford made him emotional to be departing the club, he said to Barnsley Chronicle: “It’s part of the territory that I’m walking into, in terms of moving in different ways in the summer.
“Those moments are what makes it worthwhile in terms of the early mornings, the long hours, the preparation, because the gameplan.
“The work ethic and the care and the want to win games over the course of the 15 or so months has been there for everyone to see. There are inconsistencies, decision-making around certain bits and pieces that I can reflect on and do better in certain scenarios.”
On the future: “I want to be head coach in the game.
“Don’t get me wrong. Do I feel like this last 15 months is going to make me a better head coach moving forward? Absolutely.
“There’s been some challenging moments, some brilliant moments, but the fire is still there to be a successful head coach. And obviously I’d like to put on record, you know, not every person gets an opportunity like this so early in their coaching career. So the opportunity that the club have given me for the last 15 months to take over from into interim, into permanent manager. It’s only going to be ever a thanks from me because I feel like I’ll be a significantly better coach moving forward after the experience.”
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