Barnsley FC has officially announced that head coach Conor Hourihane will leave his position at the conclusion of the 2025-26 EFL League One season. The decision, reached by mutual consent on Saturday, April 18, 2026, marks the end of Hourihane’s first full year in permanent charge at Oakwell. The 35-year-old former Republic of Ireland international originally stepped into the role as interim boss in March 2025 following the exit of Darrell Clarke, before being handed the reins full-time a month later. With the Tykes currently positioned 12th in the table, both the club and the manager have agreed that a change is necessary to prepare for the 2026-27 campaign.
Why Is Conor Hourihane Leaving Barnsley FC?
The departure comes after a season of mixed results that saw Barnsley struggle to maintain a consistent promotion push. Despite a promising start to the campaign, the Tykes were hampered by defensive inconsistencies, keeping only three clean sheets across all competitions. Following a series of internal discussions, a club statement confirmed that “a change would be beneficial for both parties” moving forward.
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
The “mutual consent” tag suggests that while there was pressure from the fanbase for improved results, the exit is a coordinated effort to allow the club ample time to conduct a comprehensive search for a new head coach before the summer transfer window opens.
When Is Conor Hourihane’s Final Game At Oakwell?
Barnsley fans will have one last chance to bid farewell to their departing head coach at Oakwell. Hourihane’s final match in the dugout is scheduled for Friday, May 2, 2026, against Stockport County.
The fixture is expected to be an emotional affair, given Hourihane’s deep-rooted history with the club, where he previously made over 100 appearances as a player.
What Next For Barnsley’s Managerial Search?
With the news of Hourihane’s exit confirmed well before the season finale, the Barnsley board is expected to begin a rigorous recruitment process immediately. The objective is to appoint a successor who can turn the Tykes back into genuine promotion contenders for the 2026-27 season.
