One former Carlisle United man has replaced another amid a new era at Barrow AFC.
The Bluebirds' new head coach Paul Gallagher has brought in former United loanee John Welsh as his assistant.
The changes at the top see Neil McDonald, the former Carlisle manager, leave Holker Street having recently been in caretaker charge.
McDonald had been brought in as first-team coach under previous boss Andy Whing before stepping up as interim boss after the latter's sacking.
𝘼 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙀𝙍𝘼 🙌
Barrow AFC are delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Gallagher as our new First team Head Coach.#WeAreBarrow— Barrow AFC (@BarrowAFC) January 2, 2026
Former midfielder Welsh, who was on loan at Carlisle from Hull City in the 2008/09 season, has left his role in Preston North End's academy in order to join the Bluebirds, as he and Gallagher bid to guide Barrow away from relegation danger in League Two.
The south Cumbrian club are 19th in the fourth tier table, seven points above the drop zone, after one win in their last 11 games in all competitions.
Gallagher himself had recently joined the club to help McDonald's interim coaching team.
Barrow's chief executive, Iain Wood, said in a statement that the club had undertaken an "extensive" process after Whing's sacking, adding that Gallagher had impressed with his "skillset and ideas" during his brief time at the club.
“We’d like to place on record our thanks to Neil McDonald for leading the team during the festive period and wish him all the best in his future endeavours," added Wood. Barrow host Bristol Rovers on Sunday.
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