[BFC SITE] Conor Hourihane appointed as First Team Men's Head Coach

Barnsley Football Club are delighted to announce that Conor Hourihane has agreed to take on the role of Head Coach on a permanent basis.


Conor has signed a two-year contract with a Club option of a third season effective immediately.

After rejoining the Club in the summer as player-coach, his role quickly moved on to becoming an assistant to Darrell Clarke with the Ireland international stepping into the temporary Head Coach role after Clarke’s departure last month.

Hourihane has been in charge for six games with a clear improvement in performances throughout the period culminating in a 4-1 victory over Bolton on Saturday at Oakwell.

Chairman Neerav Parekh said, “I have been impressed by Conor over the past five weeks. He has been a model professional and ultimately what we have seen is a change in the style of play which is much more in keeping with what we want to see from the team. We want an identity within the football club, a hard-working and organised team that supporters can appreciate and get behind and I believe we have seen that in recent weeks. We are playing more attacking football, the players are getting on the front foot and looking to get fans off their seats, and we are also seeing academy players being trusted to represent the Club too. I am sure supporters will join me in welcoming Conor to the role permanently and I believe that this can be a pivotal appointment for our Club as we look to get back to our roots.”

Sporting Director Mladen Sormaz said, “Conor has earned this opportunity, putting his status as a popular former player to one side, we have seen first-hand the meticulous detail that goes into his planning and preparation for every training session which has led to improved performances on the pitch. Conor’s standards and principles are very clear and his desire to work with the academy and give young, exciting players their chance to develop is evident and equally, we are seeing some of the more experienced players in the squad starting to recapture form too. Our job is to now work with Conor to lay the foundations for a successful season."



Conor Hourihane said: “It’s pretty emotional, to be honest. I’m really honoured. I had success as captain, and now I want success as a Head Coach - it’s as simple as that. I want to win football matches more than anyone. Step by step, the ultimate goal is to have success.”

A full interview with our new Head Coach will be available to view on iFollow Barnsley today.

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Thank you, BFC.

Looking forward to watching his Reds side at Oakwell next season.

 

Good luck Conor. Hope you enjoy your year in charge. If it doesn't work out you'll be sacked and if it does you'll leave us for someone else.

 

Loving the positivity

 

Working with the existing coaching team or can he bring in his own people?

 

Was just about to ask the same.

 

Just realism. When did we last have a manager for 2 seasons?

 

The one thing I'm pleased about, is for the first time since... Well, I can't remember. We have a manager in charge over the summer.

For once we can hopefully hit the ground running at the start of a season instead of waiting till Christmas.

I was hoping Conor would be getting it full time, and I really hope he is a success.

The benchmark was set against Bolton, and we want more of that please.

I wish you every bit of luck in the world. Sincerely.

 

Well that's solved lots of questions, now we can go forward together in the same direction. No more negativity.COYR .

 

Big problem is the DoF is still in place and running the show doesn't matter how good a coach CH is ( and the jury's still out on that one) with Sormaz still over seeing all footballing matters at Oakwell and calling the shots he hasn't got a chance of success.

 

They will be hoping it sells a few more season tickets, as sales so far aren't good.

Weird to give it to someone with a worse record than the guy who got sacked, but it ie what it is.

 

One problem with that a certain Mr Sormaz the man whose really in charge of the footballing side of things and as completely ****** things up since he was appointed. The club won't move forward while he's running things.

 

Irrespective of other issues at Oakwell, I fully support the decision to make Hourihane "permanent" head coach.

 

He's right though isn't he, succeed and he goes fail and he goes because the board are clueless about building a successful team.

 

I'm not also convinced about this being a "cheap option"

We know hes been on mega bucks since leaving us. And I doubt he will be on a few grand either.

I'd be surprised if he wasn't the highest earner at the club

 

Good luck Conor. Let’s get a couple of wins from these last four & build some enthusiasm for the new season.

 

Well that’s it then, we might as well pack it in and all take upplaying ping pong (or possibly tiddlywinks)

 

Not 100% convinced that this is the right appointment, though we've certainly improved since Conor took over. He's got my full backing though. I'm glad it's resolved before the season has ended though, at least we can start pre-season with a familiar face in the dugout.

 

That's assuming he makes it to the end of the season

 

Does he keep Devaney and Stead or get new men in?