Tranmere sack Barnes
Former Liverpool and Celtic star John Barnes sacked by Tranmere Rovers
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By Matthew West. |  |
Friday, 09, Oct 2009 12:23
By Alistair Potter.
John Barnes has been sacked as manager of Tranmere Rovers after less than four months in charge, the club have announced.
Barnes and his assistant, former Liverpool team-mate Jason McAteer, have had their contracts terminated with immediate effect following a poor start to the 2009/10 League One campaign.
The Wirral outfit have won just twice in 11 attempts - scoring just nine goals and conceding 26 in the process.
And chairman Peter Johnson said the decision to relieve former Celtic and Jamaica boss Barnes of his duties was due to the recent poor run of a win and a draw in their last 11 games in all competitions.
"Unfortunately results have not gone our way this season and we are at the wrong end of the table," said Johnson.
"We must now focus on finding the best possible candidate to help us climb the division."
Tranmere's current plight is highlighted by the fact that only Wycombe Wanderers, who have also sacked their manager Peter Taylor today, and Southampton, who endured a ten-point deduction at the beginning of the season, are below them in the table.
Club physiotherapist Les Parry has been placed in temporary charge, assisted by reserve team manager Shaun Garnett ahead of Monday's home game against Stockport County at Prenton Park.
And Johnson added: "I urge all supporters to get behind Les, Shaun and the team on Monday night when we play at home to Stockport County."
Barnes sacking is arguably a new low for the former TV presenter's managerial career.
He was sacked as manager of Celtic after only six months before choosing to return to his media career - later becoming manager of the Jamaican national team.
His time in the Caribbean was generally seen as a success after a first-place in the 2008 Caribbean Championships to qualify for the 2009 Concacaf Gold Cup.
However, he was tempted back into club management when the opportunity to join Tranmere arose in the summer.