Ex-Blackburn Rovers man opens up on shock sacking after five games

Former Blackburn Rovers Academy graduate Paul Gallagher has opened up on his next coaching steps after being sacked five games into his first head coach role at Barrow.

The ex-Rovers and Preston North End man took the gig as his first steps into senior management. Things ended quickly though, with five defeats in as many games seeing Barrow pull the plug. Despite Gallagher's exit, the club went through another head coach before being relegated to the National League.

"I was disappointed but grateful for the opportunity," he told BBC Radio Lancashire.

"I went in four weeks before being announced to help, wasn't being paid and it was over Christmas in my own time.

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"I went in and the levels I have played and worked at, the standard wasn't what I expected. I know it's not Championship level but it's a professional environment.

"I identified things that needed fixing, just in terms of the culture. The players were brilliant and took to me, they liked how I coached. I wanted to help them get better as players and people, I tried to bring standards.

"When you leave after five games, four away and only one at home against tough teams...I always look at myself, I am still learning and this was my first time as a head coach.

"I do believe, if given the time, I think we would have started to win games. And not only just win one and paper over the cracks. I mean win three, four or five and really build on it.

"Walking away, I knew we'd given everything and there's a lot to learn from it. It's something I have no regrets over."

Gallagher is taking some time to reflect on his next steps, having ended last season working as a first-team coach at Leyton Orient.

"A week later, I ended up at Leyton Orient. I really enjoyed my time working with Richie Wellens, a different manager, obviously someone I played with at Leicester," he said.

"I hadn't worked with him in terms of coaching. He reminded me a lot of Alex Neil in terms of how he carried himself and the tactical aspects of the game. Very good at what he does.

"They had a great season the year before, reached the play-off final and then stayed up. I've had conversations; he really wanted me to go back.

"But I think at this moment in time, after the last six months which have felt like six years, I am having a little break. I am sure some other doors will open too.

"If something comes up straight away and it's the right opportunity, I will do that."