CONOR Hourihane’s promotion-winning team-mates with Barnsley in 2016 have backed him to have a successful spell as head coach – calling him a ‘magnificent man-manager’ and ‘built for the job.’

Hourihane spent two and a half years with the Reds as a player, captaining them to wins at Wembley in the EFL Trophy and League One play-off final, before excelling in the Championship then going on to play in the Premier League and for the Republic Ireland.

He is now hoping for a similarly glorious stint as head coach after being appointed in April following a spell as interim boss.

Adam Hammill told the Chronicle: “Conor was always laughing and joking, so I imagine the training ground is a really good place to be, but then he was firm when needed to be.

“I think he’ll be a magnificent man-manager.

“He was a student of the game, he would always watch football on Friday nights if we had an away game. Every session you could see him taking every bit of information from every coach like a sponge.

“Certain managers are older, and some players are oblivious to what they have done in their careers.

“But the players will know what Conor has achieved.

“Some players struggle to become a coach but I can’t see that happening with Conor because he’s so level-headed.

“If the recruitment is right, there will be exciting times ahead.

“He was ambitious as a player and I can’t see that not being the same as a manager.”

Marley Watkins, another of the promotion-winners in 2016, knows first hand that Hourihane is working hard on assembling a new Reds squad. Watkins, who is at Kilmarnock in the Scottish top flight, told the Chronicle: “I spoke to Conor the other day.

“I won’t say what he rang about but he was finding something out about a player.

“It just shows he’s planning and working hard.

“He always seemed like one who would go into coaching and I think it’s happened quicker for him than most but they have obviously noticed his character and work ethic.

“I think he’s built for the job, I think he’ll do very well and I am looking forward to seeing how he gets on because I love Barnsley still.

“They are in good hands.

“He’s played at the top level with players like Jack Grealish.

“He’s done it the hard way from the lower leagues and he’s been through the mud with highs and lows like at Barnsley when we started really slow.”

Full-back George Williams, who broke into the Reds side under Hourihane’s captaincy and started both Wembley finals, also has fond memories of the Irishman. Williams told the Chronicle: “Conor’s work ethic was second to none. He was the ultimate professional.

“He always stayed on the training pitch doing extras, every day without fail, and had extremely high standards.

“It’s absolutely no surprise to me at all that he’s got into management.”

Williams remembers how Hourihane integrated him into the first team group after he had been playing for the under 21s.

He said: “I was about four or five first team games in and Conor came into the under 21 room and asked me to move into the first team dressing room as I deserved it and was part of the team.

“That was massive for me.

“For him to go out of his way, recognise that I wasn’t in the first team dressing room, come and bring me in, made me really feel part of the team, and gave me a big boost in confidence.

“It was the two finals at Wembley which made me realise just how good he was.

“I remember watching him during the games thinking: ‘he’s absolutely bossing this.’

“It was a massive occasion, but he was running the show, playing like it was just a normal game.

“It made me a lot more relaxed knowing he was in central midfield for us, controlling the game.

“I think, when he became captain, he completely upped his game all-round.”

Hammill – whose arrival in late 2015 helped turn the Reds from relegation-battlers into promotion-winners – and Hourihane are arguably the Barnsley fans’ two favourite players of the last 20 years. Hammill added: “First and foremost, Conor was a genuine and nice person, and the team leader.

“If you watch back when we were successful, he was the engine in the midfield who would never let standards drop. He was talking for the whole 90 minutes.

“When I joined, it was a tough period for him and all the players but, when we rallied, we saw his true quality.

“He was an outstanding player and outstanding team-mate.

“Before the finals, he was so calm and told us to take it in our stride.

“I remember him leading the celebrations at the end so he could enjoy himself when the time was right.”

For Watkins, it is Hourihane’s leadership during that tough period in late 2015 which stands out. He said: “When we nearly beat Everton in the cup, but didn’t take that into the league, he stood up in the dressing room and said: ‘we all thought we were big players because we played well against Everton but we have to do it week in, week out.’

“I just remember him telling everyone the truth.”