Former Burnley star now a top target to replace Hourihane as Barnsley manager

Former Burnley star and current Notts County boss Martin Paterson is now in the frame to replace Conor Hourihane as Barnsley manager this summer.

Hourihane’s record as Barnsley manager

As we approach the end of the campaign, the Tykes have been in very poor form, winning just one of their last ten League One matches, a run that leaves them in 13th place, with nothing to play for in the final three games.

Most recently, Hourihane’s side came up short in a 1-0 defeat at promotion-chasing Stevenage, and the Irishman was critical of his side’s performance.

Although there is certainty as to which league the Reds will be playing in next season, it is unclear who will be in the dugout, with Hourihane recently reaching a mutual agreement to leave in the summer.

Conor Hourihane’s record in charge of Barnsley

• 57 matches
• 20 wins
• 15 draws
• 22 defeats
• 1.32 points per game

The board have already started working on bringing in a replacement for the former midfielder, and ex-Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore has emerged as a frontrunner, having been available since being sacked by Port Vale in December.

Barnsley have also set their sights on Notts County boss Paterson, according to a report from Football Insider, which states he has been identified as a ‘clear candidate’ for the job, courtesy of an impressive stint at Meadow Lane.

Notts County look set to finish in the League Two play-off places at the very least in the Englishman’s first season at the helm, although they could also be promoted automatically, as they trail third-place Cambridge United by just two points, with two games left to play.

The ex-Burnley and Stoke player’s only other experience in management was a spell with Burton Albion, keeping the Brewers up in League One on the final day of the 2023-24 season.

Paterson could have big rebuilding job at Barnsley

Should Barnsley appoint the 38-year-old, he could have a big rebuilding job on his hands, given that Owen Goodman, Tawanda Chirewa, Scott Banks, Nathanael Ogbeta and Tom Bradshaw are set to leave at the end of their loan spells.

A whole host of other players are out of contract, including David McGoldrick, and the 38-year-old could be particularly difficult to replace, as he has 15 goals to his name in 35 League One matches this season.

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“Incredible” ex-Sheffield Wednesday manager now leading candidate for Barnsley job

Conor Hourihane is set to leave in the summer.