Coughlan one of five more staff to leave Barrow

May 5, 2026 - 22:41

Barrow AFC has confirmed the departure of five additional backroom staff members, just three days after the club was relegated from League Two. The exits include manager Stephen Coughlan, who leaves the Bluebirds following a difficult campaign that ultimately ended in a return to non-league football.

The club announced the changes in a brief statement, thanking the departing staff for their service. Alongside Coughlan, the other four members of the coaching and support team have also been let go as the club begins a major restructuring effort. The decision comes after Barrow failed to secure the points needed to stay in the English Football League, finishing in the relegation zone on the final day of the season.

Barrow's board has indicated that a new management structure will be put in place ahead of the next National League season. The club is expected to announce interim arrangements in the coming days while a permanent replacement for Coughlan is sought. Fans have expressed mixed reactions online, with some calling for a complete overhaul and others lamenting the loss of a manager who had previously guided the team to safety in past seasons.

The departures mark a significant shake-up for the Cumbrian side as they prepare for life outside the Football League. With key players also expected to move on, the club faces a challenging rebuild over the summer months.