PHIL Brown has returned to management to take charge of League Two side Barrow until the end of the season.

Brown succeeds Mark Cooper, who left the Bluebirds by mutual consent following a run of one win in nine games.

He will be assisted by former Bolton player and coach Neil McDonald, who returns to the Dunes Hotel Stadium.

The club said they are “delighted” to welcome the 62-year-old as their new boss in an official statement.

Brown had a spell with Wanderers as a player and captained the side to the Sherpa Van Trophy during the 1988/89 season.

He later returned to the club to serve as Sam Allardyce’s assistant during one of the most successful spells in the Whites’ recent history.

Brown’s first management role came at Derby but he is perhaps best known for his time at Hull, where he won promotion to the Premier League and helped the Tigers beat the drop the following season. 

He later had spells with Preston and Southend, where he won promotion from League Two.

Following a brief stint at Swindon, Brown headed overseas to manage Indian side Hyderabad before returning to Southend, but he was unable to prevent the Shrimpers from falling out of the Football League. 

Barrow are currently 21st in the League Two table – six points clear of the drop zone with nine games still to play.

Brown will be in the dugout for the first time when the Bluebirds head to the Breyer Group Stadium to take on Leyton Orient on Saturday (KO 3pm).

Social, newsletters, subscriptions and getting in touch...

You can follow the Bolton News on social media, by joining us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

We also have dedicated Facebook groups on Crime & Court, Traffic & Travel, Nostalgia and our Camera Club page

If you want to make sure you don't miss the most important news stories every day, sign up to one of our free e-mail newsletters 

Gain unlimited access to the Bolton News website with a premium digital subscription

Or if you want the Bolton News newspaper delivered to your door, get in touch with our home delivery team or call us on 0800 953 0227

Finally, have you got a story for us? If so, contact us at newsdesk@theboltonnews.co.uk or by using our online contribution form