Barnsley plot move for Rochdale manager to replace Conor Hourihane | OneFootball

Barnsley are reportedly eyeing a move for Rochdale manager, James McNulty as they look to appoint Conor Hourihane's successor.

It's been a frustrating season on the whole for Barnsley, who finished 15th in the League One table under the management of Conor Hourihane.

The Tykes were beaten by high-flying Stockport County in their final game of the 2025/26 league campaign, which also saw Conor Hourihane's time at Oakwell come to an end.

It was announced back in April that Hourihane and Barnsley would mutually go their separate ways, which wasn't too surprising, as the Irishman found it tough to build momentum in the second-half of the season.

He had been in charge on a permanent basis since April 2025, and it was exactly a year later that his departure was confirmed by the Yorkshire-based club.

Barnsley are heading into their fourth successive season in League One, and the club's supporters will be hoping their side can push for a top-six finish next term.

The Tykes will have a shortlist of managers that they're looking to contact over the managerial vacancy at Oakwell, and it seems they're wasting no time in looking to appoint Hourihane's successor.

Barnsley eyeing move for Rochdale boss

According to journalist Alan Nixon, Barnsley are reportedly targeting a move for Rochdale boss, Jimmy McNulty as Hourihane's potential successor in the dugout at Oakwell.

McNulty has caught the eye for all the right reasons with Rochdale this season, although they narrowly missed out on clinching automatic promotion from the National League, after a dramatic draw with York City on the final day of the 2025/26 season.

Rochdale finished on an eye-opening 106 points in the National League this season, but will have to attempt to win promotion via the lottery of the play-offs.

It remains to be seen as to whether McNulty's future at the club depends on if they are promoted, but it's set to be an interesting few weeks ahead.

Would McNulty be the ideal fit for Barnsley?

Barnsley are somewhat of a sleeping giant in League One, and whichever manager is appointed, there will be a weight of expectation on them early on to produce positive results.

McNulty could be the ideal choice for the job, as he's a manager that has shown his qualities as a manager, in what has been his first permanent role in the dugout with Rochdale.

He was originally in caretaker charge of the National League club back in 2023, before that spell became permanent, and the 41-year-old hasn't looked back.

Rochdale haven't been shy in playing attacking football, and that's exactly what Barnsley need, especially after such a disappointing campaign this term, which fizzled out in frustration fashion.

Barnsley need to get this next appointment correct, as they can't afford to keep going through the same process, as they've had five different managers in the same time that McNulty has been in charge of Rochdale.