Favourites to become new Barrow manager with players disappointed to see Andy Whing sacked

We take a look at the favourites to become new Barrow manager with players disappointed to see Andy Whing sacked.

Barrow made the decision earlier in the week to part with Andy Whing after just 11 months. He leaves having won 5 wins in 19 for the 2025/26 season, with a 3-0 home defeat to Tranmere proving to be the final straw.

Early odds for the next Barrow AFC manager are already taking shape, a range of familiar names included, but and one has the massive job of trying to keep Barrow in League Two.

Going into Saturday’s game against Gillingham, Barrow sit 18th with 20 points, 4 above the drop zone, and 10 from the playoffs.

FAVOURITES TO BECOME NEW BARROW MANAGER:

BetVictor – 18 Dec
Darren Ferguson – 7/4
Neil McDonald – 11/4
Noel Hunt – 11/4
Leighton Baines – 10/3
Garry Monk – 4/1
John Brady – 10/1
Mike Williamson – 12/1

In days following the decision to sack Whing, media outlets and bookmakers have recently listed the likes of Derek Adams, Garry Monk, Steve Evans and Steve Bruce as potential contenders. Subject to change.

Interim Barrow AFC boss Neil McDonald said to NWE Mail: “I think they (the players) are all disappointed that they’ve been a part of the manager losing his job whether it be results or whatever it is.

“They are really disappointed with that. Because they are responsible for that, as well as the two boys that have gone.

“We took a bit of a battering in the week and as I say we are all super disappointed that the manager has left.

“But football is a business and we’ve have got to dusted ourselves down and go again.

“So, we are really focused and we have tried to change the narrative ahead of today’s game against Gillingham.”

Looking ahead to the Gillingham game, he told NWE Mail: “They are just outside the play-off places, but their home form is not the best.

“Their manager has been changing the system and changing the players, so obviously he’s not happy with the way his team are playing at home.

“They are in a good position in the league, just a couple of points or so below the dotted line for the play-off places, so they are going to be a danger.

“But we’ve got an idea of how they might play, and we’ve got an idea what we are going to do when we haven’t got the ball, and certainly the game plan when we have got the ball is to utilise our strengths as much as we possibly can.

“Like I say, we know what Gillingham are all about, but they haven’t won at home in five games, so we have got to try to take advantage of that.

“Hopefully, they are going to be a nervous and their fans might get a little bit frustrated.

“If that happens we have to make the most of it, because we will have a great chance.

“Since I have been back here, the fans have been great and have followed us in their numbers.

“We obviously have to focus on being professional and doing our jobs well defensively, but it would be nice to try to give the supporters a performance that when they come away, win, lose or draw, they are happy with the quality and happy with the commitment of the players.”

Barrow goalkeeper Wyll Stanway spoke to BBC Radio Cumbria on the departures of Andy Whing and his assistant Craig Pead: “They were great lads for us, very committed to the football and the town and local community, which was something they really bought into.

“It’s a massive shame and I’m a bit gutted for them that it’s not worked out.

“There has to be a bit of serious reflection. Players need to have a bit of a look at themselves.

“Are we doing enough – are we putting in the performances?

“I know the lads are giving 100% and nobody’s not playing the best they can on purpose.

“As long as we stick together, we can get through the tough times and hopefully look forward.”

https://t.co/pFAUAIHcFa

— BBC Sport Cumbria (@bbccumbriasport) December 12, 2025

HAVE YOUR SAY – Who do you think Barrow should appoint as replacement for Andy Whing? Let us know your thoughts on our socials or tweet us @fan_banter

Here’s how Twitter users reacted amid the favourites to become new Barrow manager with players disappointed to see Andy Whing sacked…

@BAFCSAMUEL234:
@BarrowAFC Steve Evans is the only good option out there
Good with the fans (like whing)
Passionate (like whing)
Experience (to pull us out of the danger)
Ticks all my boxes: Long shot but Steve Evans until the end of the season? Out of work. Good track record in league 1 and 2. Took over Stevenage in near enough the same circumstances as we are in now.

@GabSutton: I’d have to start asking some questions of Iain Wood at this stage. With respect, he’s certainly not less responsible than Andy Whing for this year’s poor performances. Would argue, from summer 2024, only about a quarter of Barrow’s signings have worked out, and perhaps one or two out of 17 this season. Now, I understand how difficult it is to find the right players on a bottom-end budget. At the same time, that very difficulty sets the benchmark: it’s precisely why Sporting Directors have to work smarter than bigger or better-resourced clubs. So, on the warmer, human side of the coin, you’d like to give Iain plenty of time to learn lessons from the last 18 months. If he can do that, maybe there’s a chance of the Bluebirds getting back to that standard of acquiring the next Campbells, Spences and Gotts’, and work towards re-assembling a team akin to the one that secured successive top-10 finishes. But, on the colder, business side, pure goodwill doesn’t keep underdogs in the EFL – they need their key figures to deliver. #WeAreBarrow 🐝🏹

@danielfreeman83: One of the nicest men in football and will go on to bigger and better after this. Barrow seem to think they’re bigger than who they really are, not the first time they’ve pulled the trigger chancing their luck and it’s gone against them. Football at its worst

@JackGoodwin2001: The correct decision as the football was turgid & the results weren’t good enough for a decent squad for the level. BUT, this will now be NINE managers in FIVE years. That is unsustainable & embarrassing. They must do better and stop always blaming the coaches. #BarrowAFC

@OffTheLineBlog: Gutted for Whingy 💙 A nicer guy you couldn’t wish to find. I am confident that he’ll be a success elsewhere in the future. I don’t feel AW is the problem. I’d question ability to recruit 100% to his style. Needs to be wakeup for #BarrowAFC as a club.