Barrow appoint Whing as head coach
Barrow have appointed Solihull Moors boss Andy Whing as their new head coach on a two-and-a-half-year deal.
The 40-year-old replaces Stephen Clemence after the former Tottenham Hotspur and Birmingham City midfielder was sacked on Saturday.
The Bluebirds, who have paid undisclosed compensation to National League Solihull, are winless in their past five League Two matches and are eight points above the relegation zone.
Whing's first game in charge will be Saturday's home match against Grimsby Town.
The former Coventry City, Brighton & Hove Albion and Oxford United defender said it was a "fantastic opportunity" to manage in the EFL for the first time.
"As soon as I heard about the interest, I was really excited about it, and after meeting everyone today and having a real warm welcome, it just feels like I've got a bunch of really good people, which is brilliant," he told the club website.
Whing started his career in management with Banbury United and guided them to a first-ever promotion to the sixth tier in the 2021-22 season.
He took over at Solihull in June 2023 and saw his side beaten on penalties in the 2024 National League promotion final by Bromley as they looked to secure a place in the Football League for the first time.
There was more Wembley disappointment a week later in the form of a penalty shootout defeat by Gateshead in the FA Trophy final.
He leaves the Moors, who have placed Richard Stearman, Kevin Poole and Stephen Ward in temporary charge of the first team, in seventh place, although they have played four games more than eighth-placed Rochdale.
Clemence replaced Pete Wild at Holker Street last May after a brief spell in charge of fellow League Two side Gillingham last season.
He made a bright start with the Cumbrian side, leading them into the third round of the EFL Cup, where they lost to Chelsea, and they were third in the table after a 2-1 home win over Cheltenham on 5 October.
However, a run of just one win from their following 15 games has seen them fall to 17th and the 2-0 defeat at Swindon on Saturday proved to be Clemence's final match.
