Conor Hourihane has been preparing for his new job from the day he left Barnsley.
The 33-year-old midfielder has returned to Oakwell as a player-coach after signing a “multi-year deal” that will see him transition to full-time coaching in 2026.
If his arrival appears to have taken a long time since he was released by Derby County last month, it has been planned for years.
Hourihane is a major fan favourite due of his initial tenure at the club, which lasted from 2014 to 2017, during which he made 134 appearances, scoring 31 goals and assisting 48 others. He also won twice at Wembley Stadium in the spring of 2016, in the Football League Trophy and League One play-off finals.
The Irishman was careful not to tarnish it by departing on bad terms when he joined Aston Villa in January 2017, and he has been quietly learning the ropes as a coach since he was in his late twenties.
“With me being into coaching the last four or five years and how much coaching I’ve done on the side of playing, the opportunity of doing both here as a hybrid role is something that really interested me,” he stated on the official website of his new club.
“On top of that, there’s the fondness I had for the club from my last visit; it simply slotted in incredibly well.
“I’ve always wanted to come back in some capacity so I’m delighted to be able to do a little bit of both (playing and coaching).” On his coaching experience, he explained: “I’ve known (academy manager) Bobby Hassell since I was last here, and an opportunity came up to teach the (under-)15s and 16s (last season). I tried to keep it a secret because Derby was in the same league, but I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
“I was doing the Aston Villa 15s and 16s as well on a Thursday night so the more experience I was getting, the better.”
Darrell Clarke, the new head coach, has 14 years of experience in the lower and non-leagues, although none of them
Barnsley aspires to be in the Championship division. Hourihane, a former Sheffield United loanee, can assist cover the holes after playing and scoring in all four divisions as well as international football for the Republic of Ireland. He has also won three promotions, the most recent from League One as Derby captain in April.
Hourihane memorably signed off at Barnsley last season with a match-winning free kick in a home victory over Leeds United, and he believes the way he handled his exit is paying off today.
“It goes without saying the two Wembley wins were special but the fondest memory is probably the way I left, scoring that free-kick against Leeds – that winner,” he said. “I knew I was going before that game, and I believe the fans have a great deal of respect for how I left.
“I had a terrific time at the club and wanted to depart on good terms. If I hadn’t departed on good terms, I doubt I’d be sitting here now with the opportunity the club has given me.
“I think there’s genuine delight in how it concluded.
“Just talking about it gives me goosebumps. “That night, Oakwell was rocking.”
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