Barnsley eyeing Notts County man to replace Conor Hourihane | OneFootball

Notts County boss Martin Paterson has emerged as a target to take charge of Barnsley this summer

It's been a difficult 2025-26 season for Barnsley, who, at this stage, have yet to decide on who will lead them into the following campaign, following the recent news surrounding Conor Hourihane's imminent exit

Heading into 2025/26, there was a degree of excitement surrounding Oakwell, with Irish boss Hourihane set to lead the Tykes into the new season in what would be his first full year in charge.

David McGoldrick joined from Notts County, whilst Reyes Cleary arrived from West Bromwich Albion, and the attacking duo have arguably been the club's best players this season after Davis Keillor-Dunn was sold in January.

However, a push for the top six has eluded the South Yorkshire outfit, as it was confirmed last week that Hourihane would leave the club at the end of the season, with Barnsley set to look elsewhere moving forward.

It's come as little surprise to see the Irishman lose his job, with just one win in their last ten league games, and just one clean sheet in their last 29 games in all competitions, coming to relegation candidates Port Vale.

Now, with their season all but over and their third-tier status secured for another year, the Tykes have set their sights on a League Two boss to replace Hourihane this summer.

As per FootballInsider, Barnsley have set their sights on current Notts County boss Martin Paterson to take the place of Hourihane at Oakwell next season.

Paterson will be familiar to those at Barnsley, and Barnsley fans will be familiar with him, having served as an assistant to Michael Duff previously between 2022 and 2023.

The former Burnley forward has since worked as Duff's assistant at Swansea City and Huddersfield Town, with a spell at the top job with Burton Albion in between, and now, has been the head coach of Notts County for almost a year.

The Magpies currently sit in fifth position in League Two as things stand with two games to go - they're still in the mix for automatic promotion, yet they could also potentially fall out of the top seven and miss out on the play-offs.

Paterson will likely be sounding out any noise linking him with the Barnsley job at the moment, with his full attention being on that of Notts County and guiding them towards promotion.

The former Northern Ireland international has impressed during his time at Meadow Lane, which has seen Barnsley sound him out as a potential target, replacing one familiar face with another.

What can Barnsley fans expect if Martin Paterson takes charge?

It's been a difficult year for Barnsley supporters, who have certainly seen their side ship more goals than they would have liked.

Should Paterson take the top job at Oakwell, remedying their defensive record will be one of his top priorities, though this doesn't mean he will shy away from attacking football.

Paterson's Notts County side are currently the second-top goalscorers in League Two as things stand, with only MK Dons having scored more than their 72.

Having worked as an assistant to Phil Neville at Inter Miami previously, the Stoke-on-Trent-born former striker has often preferred to use a back three system, something which he will be able to implement at Barnsley with ease, with a focus on quick, incisive counter-attacks.

Still in the early stages of his journey as a head coach, Paterson may lack the experience of being the main man in the technical area, though from his playing career and journey as a coach so far, he remains an exciting candidate.

Whether he will be willing to take the job at Barnsley remains to be seen, though for now, Barnsley have outlined their intentions of offering the 38-year-old a route back to Oakwell this summer, should he want to take it on.