Former Blackburn Rovers midfielder David Dunn appointed as Barrow manager after promotion to EFL

David Dunn, the former England and Blackburn midfielder, has been appointed manager of Barrow following their promotion to the EFL.

The League Two outfit have agreed a two-year deal with Dunn, 40, after Ian Evatt left for Bolton.

Dunn was caretaker boss at Blackpool earlier in the season, where he held an assistant-coach role and was allowed to leave for Holker Street when his new club made him their top target to replace Evatt.

“As soon as we knew David was available and wanted the position we made him our number one target,” said Barrow chairman Paul Hornby. “He is an extremely talented coach and ticked all the boxes with the owners.

“His football philosophy and style of play is completely suited to how we are set up and he also knows a number of our players, which met our requirements for a seamless transition. After meeting David we knew he would be the man to take the club onto the next level.”

Dunn spent the bulk of his career at Ewood Park over two spells, while also playing for Birmingham. He won the League Cup with Blackburn and also earned his only England cap while at the club.

He finished his career at Oldham where he took the first steps into management with a brief spell in charge at Boundary Park. He was caretaker at Blackpool following the dismissal of Simon Grayson and is now back as a manager.

Dunn’s first choice as assistant manager is Rob Kelly, 55, who has been in Germany as part of Uwe Rosler’s backroom staff at Fortuna Dusseldorf.

Barrow finished top of the National League but were left sweating on their promotion to the EFL when football stopped for the coronavirus pandemic, with their place in League Two eventually confirmed.