BARNSLEY head coach Conor Hourihane said that nobody is ‘writing next season off’ following reports that the club’s budget would be slashed in the summer – adding that nobody wants success for Barnsley more than he does.
After the loss at home to Doncaster before the international break which ultimately ended any realistic chance of making a late charge into the play-offs, Hourihane said that ‘it will be the same next season’ but is thought to have been referring to the financial challenges rather than a likely mid-table finish.
The club made a loss of £6.6m in the year up to June 2025, their latest accounts reveal.
The loss is more than double that of the £2.8m in the previous set of accounts.
The operating loss was just under £6.3m, down from £9.6m on the previous year, but the lack of major player sales meant the club lost more overall.
It was suggested that the club’s budget may fall as low as £3.5m – which would be one of the lowest in League One – but the club have dismissed the figure.
The head coach would not be drawn into what the budget would be but said the aim is to be competitive in the third tier next season.
On the comments he made, he said: “I think the main thing is that there was obviously a bit of emotion involved.
“But no-one’s writing off next year.
“We all want success right now.
“But I think people will look at my comments, the statement and take their own opinion from it.
“People will dress it up how they want to dress it up.”
The owners have said that Barnsley have the 13th biggest budget in the division but clubs with similar, if not lower budgets, such as Stevenage and Lincoln have had much more successful seasons.
Hourihane said those clubs are being run differently and Barnsley have a lot more ‘assets’ than they do.
“I think you could go into loads of things with Lincoln and Stevenage,” he said.
“Stevenage have probably got very little assets compared to the players we’ve got in our building.
“Lincoln have that underdog mentality and have gone with older players.
“They’ve taken their approach in a different way.
“You can be in the middle of the table in terms of budget and have success.
“We obviously went in a bit of a younger way in the summer.”
He added that there will be a lot of hard work between now and the end of the season.
He said: “I want to get into the top six just as much as anyone else.
“I want success for this football club more than anyone and I know the supporters will know that deep down.
“They know the head coach they have in place is someone that really cares for the football club.
“Heading into next season it will be really hard work from now.
“Nothing’s changed from that point of view.”
Hourihane had previously said that, during the international break, attention would turn to looking at next season’s squad and who the Reds will offer contracts to.
They have an option to add another year to the contract of centre-backs Mael de Gevigney and Jack Shepherd plus midfielder Adam Phillips.
Those out of contract in the summer with no option include Eoghan O’Connell, Marc Roberts, Tennai Watson and David McGoldrick.
He said that work will be ongoing from now until the end of the season but players have the chance to work their way into his plans with good performances.
“Nine games is a long time,” he said.
“If someone was to put in a really good run of form it changes your thought process definitely.
“I think it’s really important over these next three or four games for the players to put their best foot forward.
“Obviously there will be ongoing discussions between now and the end of the season.”
