Paul Gallagher explains the decision to become the new head coach of League Two club Barrow in his first interview.
The 41-year-old steps in as a replacement for the sacked Andy Whing, who has made his feelings pretty clear about the club’s decision. You can find out more about this HERE.
Gallagher has signed an 18-month contract with the option of a further year, replacing Andy Whing, who was released by the League Two club at the start of December.
He was hired as a member of Barrow’s interim coaching team and has now been given the job after “impressing” the Bluebirds’ hierarchy.
𝘼 𝙉𝙀𝙒 𝙀𝙍𝘼
Barrow AFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Gallagher as our new first team head coach.#WeAreBarrow
– Barrow AFC (@BarrowAFC) January 2, 2026
In his interview, he expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm for the role and highlighted his transition from a playing career spanning more than 20 years to becoming a coach.
The short-term priority is to win games outright, rack up points and end the long wait for a home win by making Holker Street a fortress.
He wants his team to be aggressive, play forward and hard-to-play football, with a high work ethic and simplicity.
After assessing the squad, he said there are currently good players but lacking confidence and that his job is to build confidence, professionalism, standards and a winning culture.
As for the open January window, he would ideally like to sign a speedy defender and an experienced goalscorer to improve the ruthlessness in both penalty areas.
You can watch his full interview further down in the article, where he also touches on the club’s relationship with fans and gives them a message ahead of his first game.
OPINION:
Barrow AFC is delighted to announce the appointment of Paul Gallagher as our new first team head coach.
Gallagher signs an 18-month contract at SO Legal Stadium with the option of a further year.
Barrow AFC’s new-look coaching staff also includes John Welsh as assistant head coach. Welsh is leaving his role as lead PDP coach at Preston North End to take up the position with the Bluebirds.
said CEO Iain Wood“Since Andy’s departure in mid-December, we have undertaken an extensive process to identify the next permanent head coach and have spoken to several candidates during this time.
“During this time, Paul Gallagher was appointed as a member of the interim coaching team to support Neil McDonald over the festive period and since entering the building we have been really impressed with Paul, his skills and ideas.
“It became clear that Paul himself was a strong candidate for the position of permanent head coach. Recent games against Tranmere and Salford have resulted in an increase in performance levels and we believe that performances will continue to improve as Paul’s influence increases.”
“We recognize that this appointment is significant for the club in the short and long term. We believe Paul meets both of these needs and we are delighted to have him with us.
“In deciding to appoint Paul as head coach, we felt it was best to give him the opportunity to bring his own personality to help the club develop further.”
“We would like to acknowledge Neil McDonald’s leadership of the team over the festive period and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Glasgow-born Gallagher played for Blackburn Rovers and made his competitive debut in a 2-0 win over Arsenal in March 2003. After a series of loan moves, including the first of four spells at Preston North End, Gallagher moved to Leicester City and then stayed with the Foxes for six years, scoring 25 goals. He then played almost 200 games for the Lilywhites in his fourth spell, totaling 313 games with over 40 goals.
Following his retirement in 2021, Gallagher took up the role of first-team coach at Preston before leaving in July 2023 to join Stoke City in the same position under Alex Neil. Following Neil’s departure from the Potters in December that year, Gallagher took over as manager of the Championship side and led the team to draws against West Brom and Swansea.
Now at the helm of the Bluebirds, Gallagher is looking forward to the challenge ahead.
“First and foremost, I’m very grateful and honored to be Barrow’s head coach. I’m really excited and looking forward to it.”
“Joining the club was a real chance to get back on the pitch and train the players. I think I got on really well with the players and staff and becoming head coach is something I wanted to do and the next step in my journey.”
“I think we have some really good players on the team and my job is to get the best out of them individually and as a team.”
“As a club we want to be a unit. If we want to be successful we need everyone and I want to try to transfer that ethos to the football club.”
“I want us to be aggressive, to be at the forefront and for the players to be able to express themselves on the pitch. I also want us to dominate with and without the ball, but also be really difficult to play at times.”
“I am also delighted to be able to bring John Welsh to Barrow as assistant head coach.
“John is someone I have worked with on and off the field for a long time and I know he has a lot to offer and will be a great asset to the existing coaching team.
