Experienced EFL manager agrees to become new Barrow boss

An experienced EFL manager in Mark Cooper agrees to become the new Barrow boss according to reports, with an announcement due.

The 52-year-old has been targeted by the League Two club after leaving Forest Green Rovers last month, and been a firm favourite on Sky Bet.

Caretaker manager Rob Kelly turned down the job at the end of the 2020/21 season after guiding the club to safety in their first campaign back in the EFL.

The Cumbrian outfit had two permanent managers during the season in David Dunn and Michael Jolley, so there was a lot riding on this decision.

They ended the campaign in 21st place, five points above the relegation zone, with Grimsby Town and Southend United dropping down.

Other managers who were linked with taking over as manager at Barrow were the likes of Neal Ardley, John McGreal, Micky Mellon, Colin Calderwood, Keith Hill and Darren Currie according to the bookies.

In April 2021, Forest Green Rovers sacked head coach Mark Cooper after almost five years with the League Two club.

The 52-year-old’s axing came after a poor run of six matches without a win and four consecutive defeats left them sixth in the table.

Cooper had led the club to promotion to the English Football League at the end of his first season with the club.

“This decision we’ve made is about giving ourselves the best chance of promotion,” chairman Dale Vince said.

“Despite our collective efforts, we’ve been unable to halt our slide in form, which has the potential to take us out of contention this season.”

The club had been four points clear in third place after beating Harrogate on 13 March but have since slipped down the table, before making the playoffs and then knocked out of the playoffs.

“I’ve enjoyed working with Mark these last five years, he’s made a big contribution to the club and will always be a friend,” Vince added.

“In football sometimes you just need to make a change – and with Mark’s contract ending next month, and us needing a change in the next six games, this feels like the right decision.”

COOPER’S PLAYING CAREER:

Youth career
–1987 – Bristol City

Senior career
1987–1989 – Bristol City
1989–1991 – Exeter City – 50 games (12 goals)
1990 → Southend United (loan) – 5 games (0 goals)
1991–1992 – Birmingham City – 39 games (4 goals)
1992–1994 – Fulham – 14 games (0 goals)
1993 → Huddersfield Town (loan) – 10 games (4 goals)
1994 – Wycombe Wanderers – 2 games (1 goal)
1994–1996 – Exeter City – 88 games (20 goals)
1996–1997 – Hartlepool United – 31 games (9 goals)
1997 → Macclesfield Town (loan) – 8 games (2 goals)
1997–1998 – Leyton Orient – 1 game (0 goals)
1998–2000 – Rushden & Diamonds – 17 games (8 goals)
2000 → Telford United (loan) – 5 games (1 goal)
2000–2001 – Hednesford Town – 24 games (4 goals)
2001–2002 – Forest Green Rovers – 48 games (18 goals)
2002–2007 – Tamworth – 104 games (31 goals)
2007 – Hinckley United – 15 games (1 goal)
2007–2009 – Kettering Town – 1 game (1 goal)
Total – 457 games (115 goals)

MANAGERIAL STATS:

Tamworth – 28 April 2004 until 24 January 2007 – 138 games, 41 wins, 35 draws, 62 defeats, 29.7 win %
Kettering Town – 16 May 2007 until 14 November 2009 – 128 games, 73 wins, 30 draws, 25 defeats, 57.0 win %
Peterborough United – 14 November 2009 until 1 February 2010 – 13 games, 1 win, 4 draws, 8 defeats, 7.7 win %
Darlington – 29 June 2010 until 24 October 2011 – 86 games, 36 wins, 26 draws, 24 defeats, 41.9 win %
Kettering Town – 4 January 2012 until 18 January 2012 – 1 game, 0 wins, 0 draws, 1 defeat, 0.0 win %
AFC Telford United – 31 January 2013 until 1 March 2013 – 5 games, 0 wins, 1 draws, 4 defeats, 0.0 win %
Swindon Town – 13 July 2013 until 17 October 2015 – 125 games, 52 wins, 27 draws, 46 defeats, 41.6 win %
Notts County – 20 March 2016 until 7 May 2016 – 10 games, 3 wins, 2 draws, 5 defeats, 30.0 win %
Forest Green Rovers – 9 May 2016 until 11 April 2021 – 255 games, 101 wins, 67 draws, 87 defeats, 39.6 win %
Total – 753 games, 300 wins, 191 draws, 262 defeats, 39.8 win %