Barrow Keen on Graham Coughlan as Permanent Boss After Sam Foley Interim Spell

Struggling Barrow are considering Graham Coughlan as their next permanent manager, SportsBoom can exclusively reveal. 

But any appointment of the former Bristol Rovers, Newport County and Boston United boss will not be made until the end of the current campaign.

Interim player boss Sam Foley has been appointed until the end of the season at Holker Street.

Coughlan, who has been employed in an advisory role at the club, was part of the coaching staff on Saturday as the battling Bluebirds lifted themselves off the foot of the SkyBet League Two table as they stunned league leaders Bromley.

But the club still have work to do to retain their treasured Football League status, which they earned after winning the National League in 2020.

Foley said: “It’s an opportunity for us to bring someone in who’s experienced."

“He's been great for me to have around as a sounding board because I’m not experienced in the role."

Manager Merry-Go Round At Holker Street

Foley became the club's fifth manager of the season when he replaced Dino Maamria. 

And it is understood club bosses were loathe to make a sixth managerial appointment by bringing in Coughlan as the figurehead. 

Andy Whing, Neil McDonald and Paul Gallagher all had spells in charge of the struggling Cumbrians who narrowly missed the play-offs under current Tranmere chief, Pete Wild, in 2024.

Barrow are two points off safety, but have a game in hand on basement boys Harrogate Town, Coughlan’s former club Newport and 21st placed Crawley who last week appointed Colin Kazim Richards to replace Scott Lindsay.

Coughlan has been out of work since losing his job at Boston back in January. He had previously saved the Pilgrims from virtual relegation certainty the previous season.

The former Plymouth Argyle and Sheffield Wednesday defender took over with the Lincolnshire outfit second bottom of the division but guided them to safety against the odds. He previously had a spell in charge of Mansfield Town.

Barrow spent 48 years outside the Football League until Ian Evatt won promotion six years ago. Ironically, they came up alongside Harrogate who beat Notts County in the National League play-off final.