3 Conor Hourihane replacements Barnsley must consider as sack calls grow | OneFootball

We look at three managers who should be on Barnsley's radar as pressure continues to increase on head coach Conor Hourihane.

It is fair to say it has been an underwhelming season for Barnsley in League One under head coach Conor Hourihane.

Hourihane initially took over at Oakwell on an interim basis last March following the departure of Darrell Clarke before being given the permanent job the following month, and he oversaw a 12th-placed finish last season.

While Hourihane was unproven as a manager, hopes were high among the Barnsley faithful that the 35-year-old could lead a promotion charge this season, but it has not worked out that way, with his side spending much of the campaign in mid-table after a bright start, and the Tykes are not completely clear of relegation danger just yet.

As well as the inconsistency on the pitch, some of Hourihane's comments in the media have raised a few eyebrows, most notably when he claimed after a 1-0 home defeat to Doncaster Rovers last month that "it will be the same next season".

Hourihane has come in for increasing criticism from Reds supporters in recent weeks, and FLW's Barnsley fan pundit Andy Symcox urged the club to make a managerial change this summer, claiming that he has seen little to suggest the Irishman is the right man to take the club forward.

"For me, and I wouldn't speak for all Barnsley fans, but I think a number feel pretty much the same way. His team selections and where he plays players out of position, have been baffling to me. Some of the substitutions seem foolish to me, with players who are playing well coming off and players who are having a poor game staying on for the full 90 minutes," Andy told FLW.

"So, for me, the tactics are often wrong, and we have only kept three clean sheets in all competitions all season, which is clearly not good enough, and he has had the opportunity in the summer and in the general transfer window to bring in defenders. So the tactics for me are baffling, and I have reached the end of my patience, personally.

"I think it is time for a change of head coach, so yes, Conor should go."

As calls grow for the Tykes to part company with Hourihane, we have identified three potential replacements that the South Yorkshire outfit should consider.

Jimmy McNulty

After years of mid-table mediocrity in League One, Barnsley supporters will be desperate for the club to make a progressive, forward-thinking appointment, and Rochdale head coach Jimmy McNulty could be the perfect candidate.

McNulty took over at the Crown Oil Arena on an interim basis towards the end of the 2022-23 season, and he almost defied the odds to keep Dale in League Two after a strong end to the campaign, but his side fell just short of survival.

The 41-year-old was handed the full-time job that summer, and after an 11th-placed finish in their first year in the National League, Rochdale came fourth last season, losing to Southend United in a dramatic play-off eliminator.

Dale have continued to progress under McNulty's guidance this season, but while they are on course to surpass the 100-point mark, it may not be enough to beat York City to the title, with the pair set for a dramatic final day showdown to decide who wins automatic promotion.

As well as being one of the most talented up-and-coming managers outside the EFL, McNulty is also a former Barnsley player, having made 61 appearances for the Tykes between 2011 and 2014, so he may be a popular choice with supporters.

Darren Ferguson

With recent reports suggesting Barnsley are preparing to make further budget cuts this summer, it remains to be seen whether they would be willing to pay compensation for a manager who is already employed elsewhere.

While the out-of-work managerial market is not the most attractive, former Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson is arguably one of the strongest options currently available.

Ferguson left Posh in October after a nightmare start to the season that saw them win just three of their opening 13 games, but it was a rare blip in what was an otherwise stunning record at the Weston Homes Stadium, with the 54-year-old winning four promotions across his four spells in charge of the club, as well as lifting the EFL Trophy on three occasions.

The Scot also achieved promotion from League Two during his time at Doncaster, proving that he can deliver away from Peterborough, and after a six-month break from football, he may fancy a return to South Yorkshire with the Tykes.

The expected budget cuts mean that Barnsley will likely have to rely on younger players next season, but having built plenty of exciting youthful teams at Posh over the years, he could be the ideal manager to lead the Reds' rebuild.

Valerien Ismael

Of course, it is always a risk to turn back to a former manager, but many Barnsley fans would surely welcome the return of Valerien Ismael.

Ismael took over at Oakwell in October 2020 with the Tykes sitting just outside the Championship relegation zone, and he made a stunning impact to lead his side to a fifth-placed finish, but they were beaten by Swansea City in the play-off semi-finals.

The 50-year-old departed for West Bromwich Albion in June 2021, but he only lasted just over seven months at The Hawthorns, and subsequent spells with Besiktas, Watford, and, most recently, Blackburn Rovers have been equally underwhelming.

Having been sacked by Rovers in February, Ismael's career is at something of a crossroads, with the Frenchman unlikely to be offered another Championship opportunity after three consecutive failed managerial stints, so he may need to consider dropping into League One if he is keen to remain in England.

If Ismael is willing to manage in the third tier, that could potentially open the door to a sensational Barnsley comeback, and a reunion may be exactly what both parties need to get back on track after a frustrating few years.