[BFC SITE] Conor Hourihane

Barnsley Football Club can confirm that Conor Hourihane has agreed to take on the role of Assistant Head Coach permanently.

This move brings to an end Conor’s illustrious career which has seen him make over 580 appearances across all competitions with an additional 36 caps for the Republic of Ireland.

Starting his professional career at Sunderland, Hourihane joined both Ipswich and Plymouth before finding a home at Oakwell in 2014. After several successful seasons including both promotion to the Championship and lifting the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in 2016, the Irishman joined Aston Villa in 2017 where he enjoyed another promotion, this time to the Premier League.

Hourihane subsequently went on to play for Swansea and Sheffield United on loan and finally Derby County where he gained yet another promotion before returning to Oakwell this summer.

Whilst the intention was for Conor to be both a coach and a player for the next two years, his influence on the training pitch has become the priority and therefore the decision has been made to promote him and move him into a permanent coaching position.

Sporting Director, Mladen Sormaz said: “We are delighted that Conor has agreed to take up this role permanently, it has clearly been on the cards for a number of weeks.

“We came to the decision based on two factors, the first was that Conor really impressed in his coaching duties over the summer and at the start of the season, the number of hours he was putting in was massive. Secondly, after the opening games, he had felt that he wasn’t able to play to the level he demanded from himself and this coincided with Dean Whitehead’s departure- therefore it made perfect sense to give Conor more responsibility as a Coach and call time on his playing career. The Club and Darrell collaborated on the decision and collectively we are excited to see what else Conor can bring to the staff after a very positive start.”

Head Coach Darrell Clarke said, “Conor has been outstanding as a coach, the workload is huge and it’s a job he has taken very seriously and therefore we are in a position where it’s simply not possible to maintain both roles, I’m delighted with Conor’s progress, he is a top coach but also a mentor to a lot of young men within the Club looking to replicate the career he has had.

Along with Martin, Jon, James and all the support staff, we have a backroom group capable of achieving great things.”

Conor said, “I have loved every second of my time as a player at all the Clubs I represented. The two Wembley victories with Barnsley and getting promoted and playing in the Premier League for Aston Villa are moments I will remember forever and I am grateful to so many people, starting with my parents who allowed me to come to England at 16 years of age.

“My intention was to play, but a combination of not feeling I could perform to the standard I expected and the amazing coaching opportunity that Barnsley have provided has meant I have come to this decision and I am excited to become a full-time Assistant Head Coach to Darrell at Oakwell.”

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