Barnsley set sights on Notts County manager Martin Paterson
League One side Barnsley are interested in Notts County manager Martin Paterson as their new head coach to succeed Conor Hourihane, sources have told Football Insider.
Paterson is one of the names in the frame to take over at Oakwell, with the 38-year-old knowing the club well having previously been assistant manager to Michael Duff.
The Tykes have identified the Magpies’ boss as a clear candidate to replace the outgoing Hourihane, who recently confirmed that he will be leaving the club by mutual consent at the end of the campaign.
Paterson has impressed at Notts County this season by guiding the club into the play-off places, despite only having the 12th biggest budget in League Two.
His work at Meadow Lane has seen Barnsley take a liking to him, after he previously helped Duff lead the Yorkshire outfit to the League One play-off final back in 2022-23.
Barnsley want familiar face to spark League One upturn
Barnsley have endured a frustrating season on the pitch this term, as they have failed to kick on towards the League One play-off places after a 12th-placed finish in 2024-25.
Hourihane’s side have struggled with a lack of consistency throughout the season, and the boss has recently bemoaned the limited budget that has been available to him to strengthen the squad.
| League | Games | W | D | L | Win % |
| League Two | 44 | 23 | 7 | 14 | 52.27% |
| League One | 20 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 25% |
His departure has already been sealed at the end of the season, and Barnsley are hoping to reunite with Paterson as another familiar face in the dugout.
The former Northern Ireland international has Notts County in promotion contention in his first season at the helm of the East Midlands outfit, as they are currently just two points adrift of League Two’s top three heading into the final two games of the campaign.
Paterson’s only previous experience as a boss came in charge of Burton Albion during an ill-fated spell between January and May 2024.
He narrowly steered the Brewers clear of relegation in League One on that occasion, but could now be on the verge of a return to the third tier with Notts County.
Barnsley have been keeping a keen eye on his progress in Nottingham, and they are hopeful of being able to make a move for him.
Who else is in contention for the Barnsley job?
Darren Moore is a strong candidate to take over at Barnsley this summer in the eyes of the bookmakers, who quickly installed him as their leading candidate after Hourihane’s exit was confirmed.
The former Port Vale and Sheffield Wednesday chief is viewed among the favourites to get the job, while the likes of Lee Grant, Darren Ferguson and Matt Taylor are also seen as contenders.
Barnsley are set to enter their fifth straight season in League One next term, and they are keen to begin working their way back towards the top six.
Their next appointment is set to be crucial to their ability to achieve that, and they have already shown their admiration for Paterson and his work.
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