On Saturday morning, the club confirmed that they had reached a mutual decision with the Irishman, and all parties had agreed it is best that he moves on. 

Now the job for Hourihane is to make sure Barnsley end the season as well as possible, in turn ensuring the smoothest transition into next season for his successor. 

Barnsley currently sit 12th in the division on 56 points, and they now cannot mathematically be relegated this season. 

The Reds have won just one in nine, however are unbeaten in three including a 2-2 draw at home to Bradford in Saturday’s midday Yorkshire derby. 

This is the third time this fixture has been scheduled to go ahead at the Lamex Stadium, after the match was called off due to international call-ups in September and again on February 10 due to a waterlogged pitch. 

Stevenage currently occupy 6th place in League One on 68 points and will look to tighten their grip on a play-off spot. 

The Boro have the fifth best home record in the league, losing just twice in front of their own fans all season. 

They are coming into game off the back of a 2-2 home draw with champions-elect Lincoln City, and their games had been tight-knit affairs before the previous two, with matches often decided by the one goal. 

Stevenage are managed by Alex Revell who has been in charge since April 2024 in his second spell as Boro boss. 

Barnsley beat Stevenage back in January at Oakwell, with goals from David McGoldrick and the now-departed Davis Keillor-Dunn. 

They have never won away at Stevenage, having lost their only two matches played there in 2024. 

The two clubs have played just five times in history, with The Reds winning two and losing three.