Former Burnley star becomes Barnsley manager’s top target to replace Hourihane

Former Burnley star and current Notts County manager Martin Patterson is set to replace Conor Hourihane as Barnsley manager this summer.

Hourihane’s record as Barnsley manager

Towards the end of the season, the Tykes have been in very poor form, having won just one of their last 10 League One games, sitting in 13th place, and failing to play in their last three games.

Most recently, Hourihane’s side fell short, losing 1-0 to promotion-chasing Stevenage, but the Irishman was critical of his side’s performance.

It is certain which league the Reds will play in next season, but with Hourihane recently agreeing to leave the club in the summer, it is unclear who will be in the dugout.

Conor Hourihane’s record with Barnsley

• 57 games

• 20 wins

• 15 draw

• 22 losses

• 1.32 points per game

The board has already begun recruiting a replacement for the former midfielder, with former Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore emerging as the frontrunner since he was sacked as Port Vale manager in December.

Football Insider reports that Barnsley also has his eye on Notts County manager Patterson, who has been identified as a “clear candidate” for the job thanks to his impressive spell at Meadow Lane.

Notts County are expected to finish at least in the League Two play-offs in the English manager’s first year in charge, but automatic promotion could be possible as they trail third-placed Cambridge United by two points with two games remaining.

The former Burnley and Stoke player’s only managerial experience was with Burton Albion, where he kept the Brewers in League One on the final day of the 2023-24 season.

Patterson could be handed a major rebuilding job at Barnsley

Given that Owen Goodman, Tawanda Chirewa, Scott Banks, Nathanael Ogbeta and Tom Bradshaw are set to leave at the end of their loan spells, Barnsley could be tasked with a major rebuilding job if he appoints the 38-year-old.

A number of other players are out of contract, including David McGoldrick, and replacing the 38-year-old, who has scored 15 goals in 35 League One games this season, could be particularly difficult.