Former Hereford assistant manager sacked by EFL club

Andy Whing

Former Hereford assistant manager Andy Whing has been sacked by League Two Barrow.

The former Coventry City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Oxford United defender leaves with assistant Craig Pead after less than 12 months in charge. The pair leave the Bluebirds 18th in the league and the club's chair said that does not reflect "quality and investment".

Whing was assistant to his former gaffer Russell Slade at Edgar Street before three years in charge at Banbury United. He then moved to Barrow from Solihull Moors in January to replace Stephen Clemence and led them to 16th after a strong finish to the season.

But they have struggled for much of this campaign and a 3-0 loss to Tranmere Rovers on Tuesday was a sixth straight game without a league victory to leave them only four points clear of the relegation zone.

Neil McDonald, who only arrived at the club last month, has been placed in interim charge.

"After careful consideration, we feel that our current league position does not reflect the quality and the investment that has been put into the squad that we have assembled," said chairman Paul Hornby.

"We believe that making a change at this stage of the season gives us the best possible chance to begin climbing the league table."

As Whing departs, BBC Sport reports the Bluebirds will begin the search for a ninth permanent boss since they returned to the EFL after a 48-year exile in 2020.