Carlisle United's fellow Cumbrians Barrow AFC are seeking another new manager after announcing Phil Brown will not be staying on.

The Bluebirds tonight announced that they had failed to reach an agreement with the 62- year-old to remain in charge for the 2022/23 season.

Brown came into the club in March and guided Barrow to League Two safety, with hopes high that the arrangement would be extended.

But the news leaves the Holker Street club seeking another new boss, with Brown's assistant Neil McDonald - the former Carlisle manager - also leaving after just nine games.

In a statement, Barrow said: "The club can confirm that contract talks with Phil Brown regarding our vacant first team nanager position have now been ended.

"Brown took temporary charge for the final nine games of the League Two campaign and played his part in ensuring the club remains in the EFL for 2022/23.

"However, negotiations over him taking the role on a full-time basis have proved unsuccessful and the club will now move in a different direction."

Brown, before the end of the season, had suggested things were getting closer to an agreement, with chairman Paul Hornby suggesting to the BBC that a deal was close.

It has not been revealed how or why talks have subsequently broken down.

It means Barrow are now seeking a sixth new manager since their return to the EFL, after the reigns of David Dunn, Michael Jolley, Rob Kelly, Mark Cooper and Brown.

Cooper had been sacked following the club's 2-1 home defeat to Carlisle at the Dunes Hotel Stadium.

Hornby said: “I would like to place on record my thanks to Phil and to Neil McDonald for their efforts since coming into the club.

“Retaining our EFL status was the number one priority when they arrived in March, and we are grateful for the part that Phil and Neil played in that.

“We wish them both well for the future.”

The Bluebirds have yet to confirm decisions on out-of-contract players after the end of the 2021/22 season, when they finished third bottom of League Two.

READ MORE: