PHIL Brown has left Barrow after his contract talks with the League Two club about their manager's job proved unsuccessful.

The former Southend United boss took temporary charge of the Bluebirds for the final nine games of the campaign, helping them stay in the division.

However, Barrow have announced that negotiations over him taking the role on a full-time basis have ended and that they will now move in a different direction.

Barrow chairman Paul 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.”

Brown took charge of Barrow on a short-term deal in March, with the club six points above the relegation zone.

He replaced Mark Cooper, who left the Bluebirds by mutual consent.

Brown has managed over 500 games across all four divisions in England.

The former Hull City and Preston North End manager's last job was at Southend, whom he left last October.

Last season, he returned to England after a spell at Indian Super League outfit Hyderabad to take charge for a second time at Southend, who were six points adrift of safety at the base of League Two.

However, he was unable to keep them in the Football League.