Exclusive: David Prutton issues Darrell Clarke prediction after surprise Barnsley FC sacking | OneFootball

Darrell Clarke was dismissed as Barnsley manager earlier this week

Sky Sports pundit David Prutton believes that Darrell Clarke will not be out of work for too long following his sacking by Barnsley, with Conor Hourihane stepping up to become interim head coach.

The Tykes opted for a change in the dugout on Wednesday after their 3-0 loss at home to Blackpool last weekend, despite still being in the running for the play-offs - albeit now with an outside chance.

Hourihane was an assistant coach with Barnsley under Clarke, but has been put in charge on an interim basis while the search for a permanent success is ongoing.

David Prutton issues Barnsley, Darrell Clarke sacking verdict

Prutton expressed mild surprise at Clarke’s departure, but claimed it can never be too shocking when someone is sacked in the EFL.

He expects Hourihane’s vast playing experience to be useful in his role as interim head coach, and believes Clarke will be back in management again soon.

“Darrell Clarke coming out of Barnsley, slightly surprised,” Prutton exclusively told Football League World.

“Yes, there’s a bit of difference between themselves and the play-off places — eight points at the time of talking — but it’s a run of form, lost seven of their last 11, similar to what we’ve seen with Huddersfield and they’ve parted company with Michael Duff.

“I don’t think you can be too be surprised with managerial comings and goings from what we deal with in the EFL, but I think given the space and time that was left they’ve obviously rolled the dice to think that the change can shake them up to get them into the play-offs come the end of the season.

“Time will tell, and however that is worked out, you’ve got someone in there in Conor Hourihane with vast experience, obviously as a player, a very solid success as a player as well, and a man that’s keen to get into coaching.

“I’m not saying for one second he was sat there waiting for Darrell to move on, but as an assistant and part of the coaching team, that is obviously how these things work.

“Darrell, I have got so much time and respect for, and the jobs that he’s done across a varied EFL managerial career, and no doubt we’ll see him somewhere very soon.

“And we, of course, wish Conor all the best, one of the good guys with such experience to call upon.”

Barnsley gamble on Conor Hourihane is a massive one - it may not pay off

Two defeats in a row in Clarke’s last two games left Barnsley cut adrift from the play-off race, but the Tykes still had a chance of a top six finish.

The 47-year-old had turned around their poor league form at the end of February, winning three on the spin going into March.

It’s a gamble to think Hourihane can do any better, and the hope really must be that a new manager bounce can propel the team into the play-offs.

Huddersfield have made a similar move to sack Michael Duff and give the job to Jonathan Worthington temporarily, but it’s hard to see either move paying off at this stage - stranger things have happened however in the world of football.