[themaclad]

Personal view, excellent appointment

Barrow have appointed Pete Wild as their new manager on a three-year deal.

Wild, 38, left his position as Halifax boss on Thursday, two days after they were beaten in the National League play-offs by Chesterfield.

He replaces Phil Brown at Holker Street after he was unable to agree a new deal, having kept the Bluebirds in League Two this season.

Since being promoted to the Football League in July 2020, Barrow have now appointed five different managers.

"We are delighted to welcome Pete to Barrow," chairman Paul Hornby told the club website.

"He's a manager who has been on our radar for some time, due to the phenomenal job he's done over the past three years at FC Halifax Town."

Wild took over at the Shay in the summer of 2019 after a spell with Oldham Athletic.

He guided the Latics to a famous FA Cup third-round win over Premier League side Fulham but decided to leave the club at the end of the season for personal reasons.

His three campaigns in charge of West Yorkshire side Halifax saw them finish sixth, 10th and fourth in the fifth tier.

They conceded just 11 goals at home in the whole of the 2021-22 regular season but their hopes of winning promotion to the EFL were ended by a 2-1 home defeat by the Spireites on Tuesday.

[themaclad]

Surprised at this

Barrow have parted company with manager Pete Wild following a "post-season review" in the aftermath of the 2023-24 League Two season.

The Bluebirds finished a point outside the play-off places in eighth position but were winless in their final seven games, losing on five occasions during that period.

Wild had arrived at the club in 2022 on a three-year deal having previously managed Halifax in the National League.

"It became apparent during the review that the club and Pete had different perspectives on the way forward," a Barrow club statement said., external

"So it was mutually agreed that this was the best and most appropriate way to proceed.

"We wish Pete well in his future endeavours."

The club added that all other members of the management team would remain in place.

Wild had led the club to seven consecutive wins in all competitions in October and November during a fine run of form earlier this season.

Barrow had been fifth when they won against Grimsby in March heading into their end-of-season run-in and had challenged for a play-off position for much of the season.

But their poor form in the final weeks of the campaign meant they missed out on a top seven spot to eventual promotion winners Crawley Town.

[theo_luddite]

Me too, had him down for ages as a possible at ours.
Must be looking for a retired nuke sub developer or similar to take over down the longest cul-de-sac in the world.
Anyone with previous football knowledge needn't apply.
Oh, hello Mr. Barton. You'll find the seat is still warm.

[themaclad]

He wanted one way the board want another