A former Burnley coach has replaced David Dunn in the Barrow hotseat.

Rovers legend Dunn was appointed as boss of the Holker Street club in the summer after Ian Evatt’s departure to Bolton Wanderers. Dunn left his position as first-team coach at Blackpool to take on the role, having previously been Rovers Under-23s assistant boss up until 2018.

Dunn guided the Bluebirds to a four-game unbeaten run in October, but a winless November and three straight defeats in December saw him relieved of his duties after just 22 games in charge.

Barrow have now announced former Burnley coach Michael Jolley as his replacement, signing a two-and-a-half-year contract with the club.

The 43-year-old was most recently in charge at Grimsby Town, where he spent time in the dugout between March 2018 and November 2019.

In 2014, Jolley was named Under-23s head coach at Burnley, spending three years in the post before going to manage Swedish Premier League new boys AFC Eskilstuna in the 2017/18 season.

Barrow chairman Paul Hornby said of Jolley’s appointment: “Michael not only has all the relevant experience to help move us up the League Two table but his blueprint for the future will make it a fantastic time to be a Bluebird.

“He also comes with a number of excellent references from people within football and, therefore, it was a unanimous decision by all the owners that he was the man for the job.”

Jolley won 29 of his 86 matches in charge of the Mariners, themselves now looking for a new boss following the departure of Ian Holloway this week.

Barrow sit 22nd in the table, three points above the relegation zone, following their promotion from the National League last term.

Jolley’s first match in charge is expected to be the home game with Tranmere Rovers on December 29.

Kelly, a former coach at Rovers at both Academy and first-team level before leaving in 2018, will continue in his position as assistant manager having previously worked under Dunn.

He led the side for the impressive win over Cheltenham Town last weekend and will be in charge for the Boxing Day game at Port Vale.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Rob and all the backroom staff for looking after affairs in the interim and say that I am delighted they will be staying on to work alongside Michael,” Hornby added.