Michael Jolley lasted two months and eight games in charge of Barrow – but his latest job was virtually over before it started.
He was appointed on Thursday and by Saturday night the board at Bury had decided he wasn’t the man for the job.
The Shakers, now operating in NPL West Division, bat Mossley 2-1 on Saturday with previous assistant manager Tim Lees in charge.
It appears that the Bury board were aware of a backlash from supporters after the former Grimsby Town and Barrow manager had been appointed as Dave McNabb’s successor at Gigg Lane.
A statement from the club said: “The board recognises the strength of feeling expressed in recent days by supporters, staff, partners and players, and the very real impact the board’s decision to appoint Michael has had on individuals connected to the club.
“Assistant manager Tim Lees will continue to manage the team on an interim basis while the board undertakes a wider review of club operations.
“We will also be engaging directly with players, staff and stakeholders to listen, learn and ensure that appropriate support is available.
“Our immediate priority is the welfare of our people and the stability of the club and our community.
“We believe this step is necessary to help restore confidence, create space for reflection, and allow Bury FC to move forward in a way that reflects our values and responsibilities.
“Bury Football Club remains committed to acting with integrity, transparency and respect. Further updates will be shared when appropriate.”
It appears that the objection to Jolley’s appointment stems from a court case in 2009 when he was prosecuted in Scotland for having sex with a 15-year-old girl.
He was 32 at the time and said the Scottish authorities noted his explanation that he has been misled about the girl’s age, believing she was 19, and that he would not have slept with her if he had known her true age.
In a statement on X, Jolley said: “After a period of reflection over the weekend, it has become apparent that my appointment at Bury FC has become a distraction for the club and so I have decided to relinquish the opportunity to become first team manager.
“As I discovered in 2009, the law, as it is written in this instance, does not mitigate for the law being broken without knowledge, malice or intent. Additionally, I welcome the fact that every investigation into the incident, whether through the legal process, or the subsequent investigations by the UK government and the Football Association, all established through evidence that I was deceived and at no time did I act maliciously.
“All three organisations concluded that there was no evidence which would prevent me from continuing my career in football; and that is what I have done, periodically, since that time. I consider safeguarding a critical aspect of coaching and have always delivered safe practice 100 per cent of the time throughout my career.”
He added on Bury’s website: “I do not wish my presence to deter the board from its mission of returning the club to its rightful place in the EFL.
“I would like to wish the board, the players, and the supporters, the very best for the future, and hope the club can continue its journey back to where it belongs.”
He had been coaching at Stirling University at the time and did not return to football until 2014 when he worked with Burnley Under-23s until 2017 when he took up a post with AFC Eskilstuna in Sweden.
He returned to England to manage Grimsby who had gone 20 games without a win, and he saved them from relegation to non-League.
He went on to win three Manager of the Month awards with the Mariners and left them within touching distance of the play-offs.
He took over at Barrow in December 2020 on a two-and-a-half year contract but lasted just two months and the Bluebirds next to bottom of League Two.
Chairman Paul Hornby said at the time the board and Jolley had a differing vision of how the team should play.
More recently, until mid-2023 he managed the Spanish fourth tier club Velez.
