Barnsley FC manager search news: Martin Paterson link, Charlie Daniels talk, Darren Moore update | OneFootball

Barnsley's search to appoint Conor Hourihane's successor continues, but what's the latest on the Tykes' efforts to find their new manager?

Barnsley are set for an interesting summer ahead, as they look to find Conor Hourihane's successor, with the Barnsley boss set to depart once the 2025/26 campaign reaches a conclusion.

The Irishman took charge of the Yorkshire-based side on a permanent basis back in April 2025, following Darrell Clarke's departure from Oakwell.

Hourihane made a relatively strong start to his time in charge of Barnsley, which saw him named as EFL League One Manager of the Month in November 2025, after picking up seven points from three matches.

However, Barnsley have found it tough to build any sort of momentum, particularly in the second-half of this year's league campaign, and that has ultimately seen Hourihane and the club part ways.

The Tykes are preparing for another season in League One, which will be their fourth successive season in the third tier, having been relegated from the Championship in the 2021/22 season.

The club's owners will be looking to appoint their new permanent manager at the earliest of opportunities over the summer, as they can then look to potentially strengthen the first-team squad ahead of the new League One season, where the club's supporters will be hoping that their side can make a serious push for a top-six finish.

We'll take you through all the latest Barnsley manager news, where there have been some interesting updates in recent days.

Charlie Daniels emerges as potential candidate for Barnsley job

It's previously been reported by The Portsmouth News that former AFC Bournemouth and Portsmouth defender Charlie Daniels is being eyed as Conor Hourihane's potential successor at Barnsley next season.

Daniels has plenty of EFL experience as a player, having featured for the likes of Leyton Orient, AFC Bournemouth, Portsmouth, and Shrewsbury Town.

The 39-year-old was part of the AFC Bournemouth team that worked their way up from League One to the Premier League, and so he's held in high regard on the south coast these days.

He's moved into coaching since calling time on his playing career though, and is currently the first-team coach at Watford on an interim basis, following Javi Gracia's resignation earlier this year.

It seems unlikely that Daniels will be appointed as the Hornets' permanent manager, and he's seemingly got other options to choose from, with Barnsley being one of those.

Martin Paterson linked with Oakwell move

Martin Paterson was another name that was linked with the Barnsley vacancy this summer, although it remains to be seen whether there will be any further movement on that link anytime soon.

Paterson is currently in charge of Notts County in League Two, which is a role he's had since June 2025, and he's caught the eye for all the right reasons.

The former Huddersfield Town and Burnley forward has taken Notts County into this year's League Two play-offs, and he'll be focused on the task at hand with them for now.

If Notts County are to fall short in their efforts to win promotion into the third tier, then it would be interesting to see what the future holds for Paterson, as he could potentially be tempted by a move further up the football pyramid.

Darren Moore ruled out of running

The Barnsley Chronicle's Doug O'Kane has revealed that former Barnsley player, Darren Moore won't be in line to take the manager's job at Oakwell this summer.

Moore has been out of work since December 2025, as his time with Port Vale came to an end after a poor run of form left them rooted to the bottom of the League One table.

The 52-year-old has managed the likes of Huddersfield Town, Doncaster Rovers, West Brom, and Sheffield Wednesday earlier in his managerial career, but it doesn't seem as though Barnsley will be added to that list after O'Kane's update.

Barnsley certainly don't seem as though they're going to be waiting too long to appoint Conor Hourihane's successor, and the Oakwell faithful will be hoping that the new manager can take them back into the Championship at the earliest of opportunities.