U21s boss Welsh leaves Preston to join Barrow

John Welsh has left his role as Under-21s boss at Preston North End to join League Two Barrow as Assistant to Paul Gallagher.

Welsh has a long association with PNE, stretching back to his time as a midfielder for them from 2012 to 2018. 

In total he made 176 appearances for the club and played a big part in their promotion back to the Championship in 2014/15.

Welsh returned to North End in October 2021 as Youth Development Phase Lead and became Lead Senior Professional Development Phase (U21 coach) in September 2025. 

Gallagher was appointed as Barrow’s new Head Coach on January 2nd, replacing Andy Whing. He knows Welsh from his time as a player and First Team Coach and Caretaker Manager at Preston.