Phil Brown will NOT be staying on as Barrow AFC manager.

The Bluebirds tonight announced that they had failed to reach an agreement with the 62- year-old to remain in charge for the 2022/23 season.

Brown came into the club in March and guided Barrow to safety, with hopes having been high that the arrangement would be extended.

But tonight's news leaves the Holker Street club seeking another new boss, with Brown's assistant Neil McDonald also leaving.

In a statement, Barrow said: "The club can confirm that contract talks with Phil Brown regarding our vacant first team nanager position have now been ended.

"Brown took temporary charge for the final nine games of the League Two campaign and played his part in ensuring the club remains in the EFL for 2022/23.

"However, negotiations over him taking the role on a full-time basis have proved unsuccessful and the club will now move in a different direction."

Brown, before the end of the season, had suggested things were getting closer to an agreement, with chairman Paul Hornby suggesting to the BBC that a deal was close.

It has not been revealed how or why talks have subsequently broken down.

It means Barrow are now seeking a sixth new manager since their return to the EFL in 2020, after the reigns of David Dunn, Michael Jolley, Rob Kelly, Mark Cooper and Brown, the latter taking charge for nine games.

Hornby said: “I would like to place on record my thanks to Phil and to Neil McDonald for their efforts since coming into the club.

“Retaining our EFL status was the number one priority when they arrived in March, and we are grateful for the part that Phil and Neil played in that.

“We wish them both well for the future.”

The Bluebirds have yet to confirm decisions on out-of-contract players after the end of the 2021/22 season, when they finished third bottom of League Two.