Phil Brown: Barrow name former Hull City boss as Mark Cooper's successor

Phil Brown was appointed as Barrow's new manager on a deal until the end of the season.

The 62-year-old, who was Neil MacDonald's assistant, joined the Bluebirds, who are 21st in League Two.

Brown has managerial experience at several clubs.

He will be in charge of his first game on Saturday.

South Shields-born Brown guided Hull into the premier league and led Southend to League One during the high points of his managerial career which also included spells as an assistant to Sam Allardyce.

He will need to get Barrow firing, as they have lost their past nine games.

Six of the bottom eight sides in the table have made a managerial change in the next five years, with Brown's appointment meaning that.

Only Rochdale and Scunthorpe have not changed their boss this calendar year.